In a resounding call to action, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh asserted on Monday that technology-based innovation holds the key to India’s economic rebirth. Addressing the Department of Science and Technology’s 56th Foundation Day in New Delhi’s INSA auditorium, he outlined how innovation has evolved beyond research labs into industry, startups, and national development.
The era of confining science to labs is over, declared the minister. The focus now is on translating experiments into market-ready solutions and ideas into real-world effects—a policy pivot that aligns research with economic gains. Over the last ten years, strategic reforms have revolutionized India’s S&T sector. Opening space and nuclear energy to private players has created a fertile ground for growth.
This has empowered startups and businesses, enabling better utilization of India’s demographic dividend and elevating its global innovation standing. Spotlighting the space domain, Dr. Singh noted the explosion of startup innovations post-liberalization, with advancements in satellite tech enhancing both economy and security. Similar dynamism is emerging in other cutting-edge fields.
Collaboration is non-negotiable, he emphasized—government, academia, and private sector must unite for progress. India’s research output has surged in prestigious journals, signaling superior quality and impact. The startup count has skyrocketed from hundreds to over 200,000, underscoring explosive growth.
Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser, advocated integrating research with tech development and market deployment. Secretary Professor Abhay Karandikar highlighted transformative programs including ANRF, RDI funding, and the National Quantum Mission, positioning India as a powerhouse in science-driven development.
