Dr Jitendra Singh Highlights Decade‑Long Tech Leap on National Technology Day – Startup Boom, Innovation Index Rise, New Missions

<h3>Overview</h3> <p>On <strong>National Technology Day 2026</strong>, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science &amp; Technology, <strong>Dr Jitendra Singh</strong> addressed the inaugural session of <strong>Vigyan TECH 2026</strong> at BRIC‑NII. He underscored that independent India’s major share of technological transformation has occurred in the last ten years, driven by decisive policy reforms, strong political support, greater research freedom and active private‑sector participation.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>India’s startup ecosystem expanded from ~350‑400 startups in 2014 to **over 2 lakh** in 2026, making it the world’s **third‑largest**.</li> <li>India’s ranking in the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Global Innovation Index – an annual ranking of countries based on innovation capability and results; important for GS3: Economy and GS4: Ethics as it reflects a nation’s innovative capacity.">Global Innovation Index</span> improved from **80 to 38**.</li> <li>India now ranks **sixth globally in patents**, with **>1 lakh patents** filed, **55 %** by Indian residents.</li> <li>Launch of flagship programmes: <span class="key-term" data-definition="National Quantum Mission – a government initiative to develop quantum technologies and build a quantum ecosystem; relevant to GS3: Economy and GS4: Ethics for strategic autonomy.">National Quantum Mission</span>, <span class="key-term" data-definition="AI Mission – a coordinated effort to promote artificial intelligence research, development and deployment across sectors; GS3: Economy relevance.">AI Mission</span>, <span class="key-term" data-definition="Anusandhan National Research Foundation – a funding body to support basic and applied research in science and engineering; GS3: Economy relevance.">Anusandhan National Research Foundation</span>, <span class="key-term" data-definition="WISE‑KIRAN scheme – a programme to empower women scientists through fellowships and research grants; GS4: Ethics relevance.">WISE‑KIRAN</span> and <span class="key-term" data-definition="NIDHI programme – a start‑up incubation scheme under the Department of Science &amp; Technology to foster innovation‑driven enterprises; GS3: Economy relevance.">NIDHI</span>.</li> <li>Fourteen ministries and departments, including DST, CSIR, ICMR and NITI Aayog, convened on a single platform for the first time, showcasing the compendium “TECH‑संग्रह”.</li> <li>Minister urged the scientific community to heed the <span class="key-term" data-definition="PM's seven‑point appeal – a set of guidelines by the Prime Minister encouraging responsible travel, efficient resource use and national service; GS1: Polity and GS4: Ethics relevance.">Prime Minister’s seven‑point appeal</span>, especially avoiding unnecessary foreign travel.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>• The exhibition theme was “<strong>Building India’s Innovation Ecosystem for Viksit Bharat</strong>”.</p> <p>• The event featured the release of “TECH‑संग्रह”, documenting indigenous technologies from autonomous institutes.</p> <p>• Key dignitaries included <strong>Prof Ajay Kumar Sood</strong>, Principal Scientific Adviser, and senior officials from the Department of Biotechnology, Earth Sciences and other bodies.</p> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>The discussion links directly to GS 3 (Science &amp; Technology, Economy) and GS 4 (Ethics, Governance). Understanding the policy thrust behind the startup boom, patent growth and mission‑based research helps answer questions on India’s innovation ecosystem, strategic autonomy and the role of government‑private collaboration. The emphasis on inter‑ministerial coordination reflects the “whole‑of‑government” approach, a recurring theme in GS 1 (Historical evolution of institutions) and GS 2 (Polity).</p> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <p>Dr Jitendra Singh called for deeper integration among scientific institutions, urging collaborative work on vaccines, genomics and emerging technologies. Administrative reforms such as liberalised procurement norms and delegated tender‑exemption powers aim to accelerate research. The minister stressed that every contribution toward <strong>Viksit Bharat</strong> by 2047 will be anchored in science and technology, positioning India as a frontline scientific nation.</p>