Research, development and the exchange of experience to harmonise the development process will be on the priority agenda of the National Innovation Council (NIC) when it meets for the first time tomorrow.

Set up by the Prime Minister under the chairmanship of Sam Pitroda, the council will energise innovation initiatives so as to make them a part of the national effort aimed at reducing poverty, improving governance and making development more inclusive, an official source said.

The urgency of the effort is reflected in the fact that in its very first meeting, the council is planning to launch its portal, where a compilation of scientific achievements that can be used to improve the quality of life will be available.

The portal will also have a facility to highlight ideas that any citizen thinks would be useful to the society on the national canvas.

The NAC also comprises Planning Commission members Arun Maira and K Kasturirangan, former Nasscom chief Kiran Karnik and Tata Sons Executive Director R Gopalakrishnan.

Among others, the industry representatives of Ficci and CII, Amit Mitra and Chandrajit Banerjee, would also be on the NIC board.

The council's mandate includes formulating a roadmap on Innovation for the 2010 to 2020 period, creating a framework for evolving an Indian model of innovation with focus on inclusive growth and encouraging central and state governments to innovate.