‘i-PhD’ Novel Academic Concept Linking Imagination, Innovation With Industry: Dr Jitendra

NEW DELHI : Addressing the 9th Convocation of the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) here on sunday, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh observed that the “i-PhD” program launched by AcSIR in 2023 is a novel academic concept linking imagination and innovation with industry.
AcSIR, though barely over a decade young, has emerged as one of India’s most transformative scientific institutions, said the Minister. The Academy has “achieved far more than its age”, positioning itself as a national hub that brings together the best of India’s scientific talent across CSIR, ICMR, DST, ICAR, MoES, and leading universities, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, India is moving decisively toward academia–industry linkages that empower young scholars to imagine, innovate, and engage with emerging industrial sectors. And therefore, the ‘i’ in i-PhD stands not only for industry, but also for imagination and innovation.
Every i-PhD scholar is mandated to develop a technology relevant to translational research or StartUps, making India’s research training directly responsive to industrial needs.
Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that AcSIR represents a “wholesome whole”, a convergence of science, education, governance and national aspiration, aligned with India’s journey toward a Viksit Bharat. He said that AcSIR’s rapid rise reflects the growing prioritisation of science and innovation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, where scientific thinking has become central to India’s economic growth, technology missions, and global competitiveness.
The Minister highlighted that AcSIR today hosts nearly 7,000 students, mentored by over 3,100 frontline scientists across 79 campuses, making it one of India’s most diverse and multidisciplinary research ecosystems. He said the institution has, in effect, grown into a “shared national university”, drawing scholars and faculty from across disciplines and across the country, and increasingly serving as a platform for research dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaborative discovery.
Dr. Jitendra Singh recalled that when AcSIR was established, it represented a bold and novel experiment, an attempt to create an institutionalised pathway for research that transcended conventional academic boundaries. “Many may not have understood the idea at first,” he said, “but the rapid growth of campuses and rising demand shows that the country was ready for such an institution.”
The Minister added that AcSIR’s success lies not merely in administrative support but in the enthusiasm of India’s youth, who are choosing research and innovation as a meaningful and aspirational career for StartUp and livelihood.
The Minister added that such programs offer researchers a sustainable future, allowing them to contribute to society as entrepreneurs, consultants, and technology developers.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasised that as India moves from the world’s fifth-largest economy to eventually becoming the world’s leading economy, it will be “entirely innovation-driven, technology-driven, and industry-driven.” He said AcSIR’s scholars will have the opportunity to be “torchbearers of this journey,” shaping India’s rise in deep-tech, health research, sustainable agriculture, climate science, and frontier technologies.
AcSIR’s excellence is reflected in its sharp rise in national and international rankings, including 9th in NIRF 2025 (Research Category), top 3.5% globally in CWUR 2025, 10th in Nature Index, and 9th in Scimago 2025. With over 25,000 publications, numerous patents, and 831 PhDs awarded in 2024 alone, AcSIR has become India’s largest doctoral research institution in STEM.
Internationally, AcSIR is expanding its footprint through collaborations with RMIT University, Deakin University, the University of Western Australia, Turku University (Finland), University of Melbourne, AIST (Japan), and others, facilitating joint supervision, dual-degree pathways, and access to global research facilities.
The Minister also appreciated AcSIR for building a vibrant intellectual ecosystem through initiatives such as the AcSIR Science Club, the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Transdisciplinary Lecture Series, and the annual magazine Bravura, which capture the dynamism and creativity of the student community.
At the outset, Dr. Jitendra Singh acknowledged the presence of distinguished dignitaries, including Chancellor Prof. P. Balaram; Member, NITI Aayog, Dr. V.K. Paul; Mrs. Piramal; Director General, CSIR, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi; and Director, CSIR-IMTECH, Dr. Manoj Dhar. The Minister complimented Prof Dhar for his dynamic leadership and for steering one of the youngest CSIR institutions with vision, energy, and academic inclusiveness.
Concluding his address, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that AcSIR stands at the heart of India’s scientific future, young, aspirational, research-intensive, and aligned with national missions. He urged graduating scholars to carry forward the spirit of innovation and contribute to building an India that is technologically self-reliant, globally competitive, and future-ready.