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NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh on thursday unveiled the ‘NITI Aayog’s Roadmap for Strengthening State Science and Technology Councils’ at NITI Aayog complex, here. He called upon the States and UTs to align with Centre’s vision and thereby also align with S&T Efforts in the making of Viksit Bharat@2047.
The roadmap is a major step toward building a robust and coordinated science and technology ecosystem across the States to fuel India’s transformation into a knowledge-driven economy.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Jitendra Singh identified Science and Technology as the key growth engine of India’s economic rise, stating that “if India is to move from the 4th to the 3rd largest economy and beyond, it is science and technology that will drive this growth.”
The Minister recalled that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who overhauled the planning framework in 2014, replacing the Planning Commission with NITI Aayog as a forward-looking think tank, which has since guided India’s growth with visionary policies. “This transformation enabled long-term thinking, evidence-based policy, and a shift from fund allocation to strategic coordination,” he emphasized.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the successful coupling of States and Centre as a case study to harness the full potential of regional scientific talent. He urged State S&T Councils to act as intermediaries between research labs and communities, enabling grassroots-level impact of scientific innovation. He called upon the states to align their scientific vision with the national roadmap of Viksit Bharat @2047, and promote early industry linkages to ensure startup sustainability, not merely through knowledge partnerships, but also through investment partnerships.
Tracing India’s exceptional S&T trajectory over the past decade, Dr. Jitendra Singh said PM Modi has consistently given patronage to scientific progress. “In each of his Independence Day addresses from the Red Fort in the last 11 years, he has highlighted major scientific initiatives-be it the Swachh Bharat Mission, Digital India, Stand-Up and Start-Up India, Deep Ocean Mission, or the Digital Health Card,” Dr. Singh noted.
He emphasized that a change in mindset is critical for innovation. “We must move away from excessive reliance on government funding and encourage vibrant public-private partnerships to unlock innovation at scale,” he stated.
Citing India’s S&T success stories like Chandrayaan-3, indigenous vaccine development, and the successful gene therapy trial for Hemophilia published in The New England Journal of Medicine , Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored India’s rising global credibility. He highlighted that resident Indian patent filings have surged by nearly 56%, and 67% of India’s research output now comes from centrally-funded institutions.
The Minister described the recently established Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) as a game-changer that will bridge gaps between academia, industry, and government, facilitating co-creation and co-investment in research. He also praised the emerging Bio-E3 cell ecosystem, backed by the Prime Minister, stating, “The next big revolution will be biotech-driven, and India is set to lead the world.”
Referring to the liberalization of space and nuclear sectors for private participation, Dr. JitendraSingh said, “With these domains unlocked, only the sky is the limit for Indian science.” He called for the Government to assume the role of facilitator rather than controller, encouraging innovation to thrive.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also lauded NITI Aayog’s Atal Tinkering Labs initiative, which has nurtured innovation at the school level, providing a strong foundation for India’s next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs.
Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Shri Suman Bery, emphasized the urgent need for such a roadmap to ensure that State S&T Councils align their efforts with national development goals and drive innovation that is both inclusive and sustainable.
NITI Aayog Member Dr. V.K. Saraswat observed that “sustainability must be embedded into the innovation process,” and highlighted the importance of capacity building at the state level to achieve long-term scientific excellence.
The event was graced by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR; Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES); Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF); along with senior officials from the Ministry of Science & Technology and its departments, and senior advisors to NITI Aayog, were also present during the launch ceremony.
