New Delhi: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said design innovation must become a strategic national capability as India enters a decisive decade of development.
He spoke at the Post Budget Webinar 2026 on the new National Institute of Design in New Delhi. During the event, he said design should connect technology with people and turn ideas into useful systems and products.
The minister noted that India’s demographic strength supports this transformation. The country has an average age of about 28.5 years and produces nearly 2.3 million STEM graduates every year. Therefore, these factors can strengthen the economy and expand India’s global engagement.
He also said India’s cultural diversity provides a strong foundation for design innovation. According to him, traditions in food, textiles, language and crafts can inspire products that stand out in global markets.
Goyal added that the National Institute of Design has evolved over the past decade. The institute now operates as a national network and holds the status of an Institution of National Importance.
Five-point roadmap to strengthen design innovation
The minister said the Union Budget announced a new National Institute of Design in eastern India. He explained that the move will expand design education and address the shortage of trained designers in the country.
He also noted that eastern India holds strong potential in crafts, textiles and industry. However, the region lacked a strong design ecosystem earlier. Therefore, the new institute will connect craft clusters, MSMEs and emerging industries with modern design education.
Goyal also proposed a five-point agenda to strengthen design innovation across the country. First, he suggested developing National Institutes of Design as regional knowledge hubs to promote innovative design.
Second, he emphasised stronger links between industry and academic institutions. He proposed design clinics and cluster projects so artisans, weavers and MSMEs can benefit from design tools.
Third, he recommended setting up service and Brand India design labs. These labs would improve citizen experience in governance, tourism and healthcare.
Fourth, he called for joint artificial intelligence and frontier technology design labs with technical institutions. Such labs will expand collaboration between students and industry.
Finally, he said the proposed institute in eastern India should function as a model campus that supports public–private partnerships and organisations working with artisans.
Goyal said design decisions made today will shape how India’s products, services and digital platforms serve its 1.4 billion citizens. He added that strong design innovation can help build a globally recognised Brand India rooted in tradition and technology.
