New Delhi: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Monday said technology-driven innovation had become central to India’s economic growth, highlighting its expanding role across research, industry and startups.
He stated that policy reforms over the past decade had pushed science beyond laboratories into real-world applications. Moreover, he said the focus had shifted towards linking ideas with measurable economic outcomes.
The Minister spoke at the 56th Foundation Day of the Department of Science and Technology in New Delhi. He said India’s science ecosystem had undergone a major transformation due to increased private sector participation.
He noted that opening sectors such as space and nuclear energy had created new opportunities. As a result, startups and industries have gained access to emerging technology domains.
He pointed to rapid growth in the space sector, where private players have contributed to innovation in satellite technologies. In addition, he said this expansion supported both economic growth and national preparedness.
Technology-driven innovation boosts startup ecosystem
Dr. Jitendra Singh said India’s startup ecosystem had grown from a few hundred to over two lakh ventures. He added that this growth reflected a maturing innovation landscape driven by collaboration.
He stressed that partnerships between government, academia and industry remained essential for scientific progress. Therefore, he called for stronger coordination to accelerate research and development.
He also emphasised the importance of indigenous innovation, particularly in critical sectors such as pharmaceuticals. Meanwhile, he said India’s global standing had improved through high-impact research output.
The Minister highlighted the need for scientific institutions to improve outreach and visibility. He said better communication would help attract partnerships and ensure wider societal benefits.
He added that administrative reforms aimed at improving efficiency were underway. These include decentralised decision-making and restructuring of legacy systems.
Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed confidence that continued reforms would strengthen India’s scientific ecosystem. He said it would play a key role in shaping long-term economic growth and global leadership.
