Ministry of Science and Technology's 55th Foundation Day highlights India's shift towards increased industry-led innovation to enhance its scientific landscape. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh stresses the importance of industry collaboration, digitalization in science education, and talent retention. Since inception in 1971, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has played a crucial role in catalyzing India's growth into a science and technology powerhouse. The minister applauds DST initiatives like the National Supercomputing Mission and acknowledges its significant contributions to grassroots development through focus on marginalized communities.
Emphasizing the doubling of Gross Expenditure in Research and Development (GERD) from Rs 60,196 crores to Rs 127380 crores over a decade, he states India's rising global rankings: 39th globally for innovation, third with respect to startup numbers, PhDs in science and engineering, and research publications. He underscores the need to integrate market forces—arguing private sector funding is essential for sustainable innovation.
Dr. Jitendra Singh introduces ANRF (Anusandhan National Research Foundation) as a transformational force towards democratizing research funding and boosting university participation with key schemes including a 1 lakh crore Research, Development, and Innovation Fund and the National Geospatial Mission under DST's leadership. The minister suggests digitalization has inspired India's scientific temper and reshaped its socioscientific fabric.
He also advocates for strategic returns of talent from abroad by encouraging scientists to have return timelines in mind, highlighting that India offers everything needed for successful global scientist reintegration. Concluding optimistically that this is the best time for science in India with more potential ahead, the function underscores a strong convergence between scientific leadership and industry partnerships.
The tone is professional and informative, avoiding speculative commentary beyond what the text directly supports or limits its scope due to the provided text's context.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Science Technology: A governmental department focusing on science and technology policies, initiatives, and activities in India.
Department of Science and Technology (DST): A branch within the Ministry responsible for fostering research and development, education, innovation, and policy-making in science and technology sectors.
Digitalisation of Mind: A phenomenon or strategy indicating a shift towards digital thinking and usage across Indian society, impacting socioscientific advancements.
ANRF Anusandhan National Research Foundation: A new statutory body aimed at enhancing research funding distribution and increasing university involvement in research activities.
1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund: An initiative under DST to support large funding efforts related to R&D as well as innovation projects, with an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore.
National Geospatial Mission: A strategic program under DST aimed at enhancing capabilities in geospatial data and technology for various applications across sectors like disaster management, infrastructure development, urban planning, etc.
Global Innovation Index ranking: An international ranking that benchmarks countries based on their innovation ecosystem performance. India's strategic improvement from a lower to higher position signifies advancements in science and technology policies, collaborations, productivity, and R&D investment.
Prime Minister’s Office (PMO): A crucial office within the Indian government responsible for overseeing policy coordination across all ministries, including those under DRDO.
Ministry of Science & Technology
India’s Science Push Enters High Gear: Dr. Jitendra
Singh Bats for Industry-Led Innovation on DST’s
55th Foundation Day
India’s Science Strategy Shifts Focus: Innovation,
Industry Collaboration, and Talent Retention in
Spotlight
India Gross Expenditure in R&D (GERD) has
doubled in last one decade from Rs 60,196 Cr. to
1,27,380 Cr.
‘Digitalisation of Mind’ Marking India’s Quiet Socio-
Scientific Shift: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Posted On: 02 MAY 2025 5:21PM by PIB Delhi
Marking the 55th Foundation Day of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), 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 outlined India’s evolving scientific landscape, emphasizing the need for increased industry involvement
to the extent of industry led innovation, changes in approach and long-term innovation to position the country
among leading global players.
Addressing a packed audience that included leading innovators, academicians, researchers and
former Secretaries, Dr. Jitendra Singh traced the DST’s journey since its inception on May 3, 1971,
crediting it with catalyzing India’s evolution into a science and technology powerhouse.
“The founding of DST mirrors the march of post-independence India in the field of science,” he said,
highlighting how the department has bridged research and governance, turning vision into verifiable
outcomes'.
The Minister hailed DST’s efforts in nurturing a nationwide research ecosystem, particularly through
mission-mode programmes such as the National Supercomputing Mission, Cyber-Physical
Systems, and the recent National Quantum Mission. Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that DST’s
interventions have not only advanced science but also driven grassroots development, with focused
efforts on women, children, and marginalized communities.
The Minister spotlighted India’s rising global rankings as a measure of DST’s impact — from adramatic leap in the Global Innovation Index (from 81st in 2015 to 39th in 2024), to securing the 3rd
spot globally in start-up numbers, PhDs in science and engineering, and research publications.
India is now also ranked 6th worldwide in intellectual property filings.
But the core of Dr. Jitendra Singh’s message was forward-looking: science must align with market
forces. Advocating for “industry-determined innovation research,” he argued that sustainable
innovation must be both driven and funded by private players. “In India, knowledge partnerships
alone don’t work — industry must have skin in the game,” he quipped, underlining that private
sector buy-in is essential for enduring scientific success.
He also highlighted the role of the newly formed statutory body, ANRF (Anusandhan National
Research Foundation), as a transformative force aimed at democratizing research funding and
boosting university participation. Two major schemes — the 1 lakh crore Research, Development
and Innovation Fund and the National Geospatial Mission — are now housed under DST’s
leadership.
Calling out a quiet revolution, Dr. Jitendra Singh pointed to the “digitalisation of mind” that has
ignited India's scientific temper, reshaped India’s socio-scientific fabric. “Even a semi-literate person
today prefers WhatsApp over writing down a number — that’s the extent of behavioural change,” he
said, stressing that the real transformation lies not only in numbers but in the rise of aspiration and
confidence among ordinary Indians.The Minister didn’t shy away from calling for a strategic return of talent from abroad, urging
scientists to plan their overseas journeys with a return timeline. “India today has everything to offer.
It’s time we built a reverse pipeline for global talent,” he said.
Concluding on a note of optimism, Dr. Jitendra Singh declared, “This is one of the best times for
science and research in India — and the best is yet to come.” The Foundation Day celebrations saw
participation from Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood,
DST Secretary Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Dr. Sharad Sharma of iSPIRT, and Adil Zainulbhai,
Chairman, CBC reflecting a strong convergence of scientific, institutional, and industry leadership.
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NKR/PSM
(Release ID: 2126203)