Excelsior Correspondent
PANCHKULA, Dec 7: India has entered a decisive phase in its evolution from a traditional economy to an innovation-driven nation, and is now shaping global trends in technology driven growth instead of following them, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office; and Minister of State for the Departments of Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said at the 4-day India International Science Festival (IISF), currently being held here.
Speaking during a special Fireside Chat at IISF, the Minister said the last decade has brought a fundamental shift in India’s scientific temperament, policy direction, and governance approach. He said India’s economic growth is now clearly powered by science, technology, research, and innovation, and that the global community increasingly sees India as a source of new models for governance, public service delivery, and technology-led development.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said India has never lacked talent, potential or commitment, but what has changed is the quality of political support and the clarity of national purpose. He said India is no longer late to global technological transitions and, in many emerging areas, including biotechnology, nuclear innovation, regenerative sciences and next-generation space technologies, the country is now playing a defining leadership role.
At the festival, the Minister spoke extensively about the launch of the new national R&D fund, calling it a transformative step to unlock high-risk, high-impact innovation. He said this fund will support research and enterprise in sectors that were previously inaccessible to private players, such as space and nuclear energy. He described the initiative as a “catalytic push” designed to help Indian industry build long-term capabilities through low-interest, long-duration financial assistance, enabling companies to scale confidently before they emerge as strong, independent contributors to India’s technological rise.
Reflecting on the opening of the space sector, the minister said there was a time when even journalists were not allowed inside the gates of Sriharikota during rocket launches. He said the change brought in under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resulted in a dramatic expansion, from a handful of players to nearly 400 space start-ups, many of which are now recognised globally. He said India is no longer limiting its space achievements to rocket launches alone, and has created global models for using space technologies in agriculture, healthcare, drinking water solutions and disaster management.
Discussing India’s growing global stature, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that young Indians today enjoy far higher respect abroad than earlier generations. When an Indian professional introduces himself overseas, he said, his credibility in the job market immediately rises, a shift that he described as a “complete reversal” of the situation two decades ago.
He said delegations from countries across regions have visited India in recent months to understand its grievance redressal systems, digital certification mechanisms for senior citizens and other public service innovations, which shows how India has become a creator of globally relevant best practices.
The Minister attributed much of the nation’s renewed confidence to the changing work culture brought in over the last decade. He said the government now functions with greater purpose, accountability and responsiveness, and schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Ujjwala Yojana represent a new spirit of inclusive democracy where benefits reach citizens without discrimination of caste, religion, or political preference. According to him, this shift has rebuilt trust between the citizen and the state.
On the question of how India should measure its innovation progress, Dr Jitendra Singh said the real measure is sustainability. Ideas must translate into viable enterprises with strong industry and market linkages. He said innovation cannot remain confined to idealism; it must also offer dignity, financial security, and a sense of equality in society. He referred to the rise of profitable agri-start-ups, including lavender-based ventures, founded by professionals who left high-pressure corporate jobs to build enterprises that are both meaningful and economically successful.
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