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NEW DELHI: 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, on Wednesday called for early Industry linkage to ensure sustainable of StartUps, advocating for a collaborative funding approach that fosters accountability and shared responsibility in innovation. “A joint investment model, where industry and government work hand-in-hand, guarantees mutual commitment and nurtures an innovation ecosystem built on cooperation and shared stakes,” he emphasized.
The Minister emphasized the need for a robust and inclusive innovation ecosystem during the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) High-Level Committee Meeting at NITI Aayog today. He highlighted AIM 2.0 as a pivotal step towards fostering entrepreneurship, enhancing public-private partnerships (PPP), and integrating industry linkages to sustain start-ups and drive India’s innovation agenda forward.
Lauding the efforts under AIM 1.0, Dr. Jitendra Singh attributed its success to the enabling policies introduced post-2014 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “While we have always had the talent, the transformation has been catalysed by the visionary policies of the Prime Minister, enabling initiatives like AIM to flourish,” he remarked.
Acknowledging concerns about AIM 2.0’s transition into a ministerial framework, the Minister called for a structure that retains the mission’s intellectual and creative independence. “We need a model that supplements efforts without stifling innovation,” he stated, suggesting a hybrid framework similar to those adopted in other sectors like space and biotechnology.
The Minister also addressed the need for an aspirational framework to rate start-ups based on key indices such as publication impact, start-up viability, and livelihood generation. “Our innovation ecosystem must ultimately contribute to creating livelihoods; otherwise, its impact remains limited,” he observed.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted India’s scientific achievements, pointing to recent breakthroughs such as gene therapy trials published in prestigious journals like the New England Journal of Medicine. He emphasized the importance of global recognition through high-standard publications, urging Indian researchers to aim for international benchmarks to bolster confidence and credibility.
In a call for inclusivity, the Minister advocated for a language-neutral approach to innovation, with a focus on equitable opportunities across India’s diverse linguistic landscape. He urged stakeholders to address translation challenges that could inadvertently disadvantage regional participants.
Concluding his remarks, Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed optimism about AIM’s future, envisioning a progressive trajectory towards AIM 3.0 and beyond. “Our journey of innovation is far from over. With strengthened partnerships and an expanded ecosystem, we aim to position India as a global leader in innovation,” he declared.
The AIM High-Level Committee Meeting brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and academic experts to deliberate on the roadmap for AIM 2.0, with a shared commitment to fostering a vibrant and sustainable innovation ecosystem in India.
