By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, MAR 06, 2025: UNION Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that India achieved global Rank 3 in StartUps in last one decade and reaffirmed the Union Government's commitment to making India a global innovation hub, highlighting the Rs.20,000 crore allocation in Budget 2025-26 for the Research, Development, and Innovation initiative.

He explained that the initiative aims to boost research and innovation in the private sector, with a strong focus on expanding efforts in sunrise industries. Speaking at the concluding session of the Post Budget Webinar 2025 on "Investing in Innovation," he emphasized that this funding would drive cutting-edge research and technological advancements, particularly in deep-tech sectors.

The announcement builds on the Rs.1 lakh crore corpus introduced in Budget 2024-25 to accelerate research and development (R&D) in the private sector, with a strong focus on sunrise technologies. Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored that these initiatives would strengthen India's innovation ecosystem and encourage private sector investments in critical domains like semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, 5G, and quantum computing.

"India has made significant strides in innovation, with patent grants increasing 17 times since 2014 and our position in the Global Innovation Index rising from 81th to 39th among 133 economies. Today, we rank third globally as a leading contributor to scientific research," Dr. Jitendra Singh stated.

Recognizing the need to nurture world-class research talent, the government has tripled the intake under the Prime Minister's Research Fellowship (PMRF) Scheme. Originally launched in 2018, the scheme has so far supported 3,688 scholars. The latest Budget expands its reach to 10,000 fellowships over the next five years, offering more opportunities for young scientists to pursue groundbreaking research at India's premier institutions.

"The PMRF is not just about financial assistance; it is about fostering an ecosystem where academic excellence and intellectual curiosity thrive," the Minister remarked.

Underscoring the significance of geospatial technology for economic growth and infrastructure planning, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the National Geospatial Mission, an initiative launched under the 2022 National Geospatial Policy. "This mission is critical for India's transition to a developed nation by 2047," he said, citing its applications in urban planning, disaster management, and precision agriculture.

India's agricultural security is also receiving a boost with the establishment of a National Enlarged Gene bank Replica. "India's National Gene bank is the second largest globally, preserving over 4.7 lakh accessions of 2,147 species, including traditional crops. The new initiative will further safeguard our crop diversity and ensure long-term food security," Dr. Jitendra Singh explained.

In an ambitious effort to protect India's vast manuscript heritage, the Gyan Bharatam Mission has been launched to digitize over one crore ancient manuscripts and create a National Digital Repository. "India has an unparalleled intellectual and cultural wealth, much of which is fragile and inaccessible. This initiative will ensure its preservation and accessibility for scholars and researchers worldwide," the Minister emphasized.

Concluding the session, Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated that these initiatives align with the government's broader vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047', a roadmap for India's transformation into a developed nation. "Investment in innovation is not just about economic growth-it is about empowering young minds, strengthening our technological sovereignty, and securing India's future on the global stage," he said.

With bold investments in research fellowships, deep-tech, and digital infrastructure, the government is making a decisive push to position India as a global leader in science and technology.