New Delhi, Mar 4 (KNN) India has doubled its research and development spending in the last decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, with gross expenditure rising from Rs 60,196 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 1,27,381 crore.
This significant increase is shaping India’s future economy through homegrown innovations in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and quantum computing, according to Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology.
Speaking at the DISHA event at India Habitat Centre, Dr. Singh highlighted the government’s strategy to position India as a global leader in deep-tech innovation and commercialisation.
He emphasised that India is making significant progress in fostering an intellectual property-driven innovation ecosystem, with academia, industry, and startups playing crucial roles.
The DISHA Program (Developing Innovations, Successful Harnessing, and Adoption) aims to build a knowledge-based economy where research-driven solutions transform industries.
Dr. Singh noted that this initiative aligns with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, which seeks to create a unified research ecosystem bridging science, humanities, and social sciences.
Dr. Singh highlighted India’s policy shift to allow private sector participation in strategic fields such as space technology and nuclear research.
“What was once solely the domain of government institutions is now open to private enterprises, enabling faster technological advancements, higher efficiency, and global competitiveness,” he stated.
The space sector has seen a surge in innovation, with startups contributing to satellite development, launch services, and space-based applications.
The minister also discussed the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in healthcare, pointing to AI-driven mobile telemedicine units providing healthcare access to remote areas.
However, he stressed the importance of balancing AI with human expertise, stating that “the role of AI is to complement human intelligence, not replace it.”
With India approaching 100 years of independence in 2047, Dr. Singh urged young innovators to lead in shaping the country’s technological future.
As the government continues to invest in deep-tech research, skill development, and industry-academia collaboration, programs like DISHA will be instrumental in establishing India as an innovation powerhouse, reinforcing the vision of India as not just a consumer but a creator and exporter of cutting-edge technological solutions.
(KNN Bureau)
