<h3>Overview</h3><p>On <strong>26 April 2026</strong>, <strong>Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh</strong> addressed the PAN‑IIT Alumni Conference held virtually from Los Angeles. He urged India to move from being a mere <span class="key-term" data-definition="Technology sovereignty refers to a nation's ability to develop, control and secure its own critical technologies without over‑reliance on foreign sources. (GS3: Economy & Security)">Technology Sovereignty</span>‑dependent consumer to a creator and global driver of innovation.</p><h3>Key Developments</h3><ul><li>India must emerge as a leader in <span class="key-term" data-definition="Semiconductors are materials essential for electronic chips; mastery of this sector is crucial for defence, communications and industrial growth. (GS3: Economy)">Semiconductors</span>, <span class="key-term" data-definition="Artificial Intelligence (AI) denotes computer systems that can perform tasks requiring human intelligence; AI drives productivity and strategic capabilities. (GS3: Economy & Technology)">Artificial Intelligence</span>, <span class="key-term" data-definition="Robotics involves the design, construction and operation of autonomous machines, vital for manufacturing and defence. (GS3: Economy)">Robotics</span> and <span class="key-term" data-definition="Quantum technologies exploit quantum mechanics for computing, sensing and communications, offering a strategic edge. (GS3: Economy & Security)">Quantum Technologies</span>.</li><li>The vision of <span class="key-term" data-definition="Viksit Bharat 2047 is the government’s vision of a fully developed India by its centenary year, 2047, emphasizing science, technology and inclusive growth. (GS2: Polity, GS3: Development)">Viksit Bharat 2047</span> under Prime Minister Narendra Modi frames technology as the backbone of future growth.</li><li>Recognition of the Indian diaspora, especially <span class="key-term" data-definition="IIT alumni are graduates of the Indian Institutes of Technology, many of whom occupy senior positions in global tech firms and act as bridges between the Indian diaspora and domestic innovation ecosystems. (GS1: Institutions, GS3: Economy)">IIT alumni</span>, as connectors for investment, mentorship and policy engagement.</li><li>Launch of the <strong>Sajjan Agarwal School of Technology</strong> at Rishihood University, Delhi‑NCR, exemplifies diaspora‑driven institution building.</li></ul><h3>Important Facts</h3><ul><li>Dr Singh highlighted rapid progress in India’s space programme, biotechnology and deep‑tech startups as evidence of growing capability.</li><li>He called for stronger tri‑sector collaboration – academia, industry and government – and for new education models that link learning with real‑world applications.</li><li>The minister invited IIT alumni to mentor, invest in research and deep‑tech ventures, and to collaborate with Indian institutions.</li></ul><h3>UPSC Relevance</h3><p>The speech touches upon several GS themes: <strong>Science & Technology policy</strong> (GS3), the role of the diaspora in <strong>economic development</strong> (GS3), and the strategic importance of emerging sectors for <strong>national security</strong> (GS3). Understanding the push for <span class="key-term" data-definition="Technology sovereignty refers to a nation's ability to develop, control and secure its own critical technologies without over‑reliance on foreign sources. (GS3: Economy & Security)">Technology Sovereignty</span> helps aspirants analyse India’s future industrial policy and its impact on global competitiveness.</p><h3>Way Forward</h3><ul><li>Formulate a national roadmap for <span class="key-term" data-definition="Semiconductors are materials essential for electronic chips; mastery of this sector is crucial for defence, communications and industrial growth. (GS3: Economy)">Semiconductor</span> design and fabrication.</li><li>Set up dedicated research hubs for <span class="key-term" data-definition="Artificial Intelligence (AI) denotes computer systems that can perform tasks requiring human intelligence; AI drives productivity and strategic capabilities. (GS3: Economy & Technology)">AI</span>, <span class="key-term" data-definition="Robotics involves the design, construction and operation of autonomous machines, vital for manufacturing and defence. (GS3: Economy)">Robotics</span> and <span class="key-term" data-definition="Quantum technologies exploit quantum mechanics for computing, sensing and communications, offering a strategic edge. (GS3: Economy & Security)">Quantum</span> research.</li><li>Institutionalise diaspora‑led mentorship programmes through IIT alumni networks.</li><li>Integrate industry‑oriented curricula in higher education, modelled on initiatives like the Sajjan Agarwal School of Technology.</li></ul>
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