Key Points
- India’s startup ecosystem has grown from a few hundred to over two lakh in a decade
- Space and nuclear energy sectors opened to private participation under policy reforms
- DST marks 56th Foundation Day with call for research-to-market integration
Technology-driven innovation supported by the Department of Science and Technology over the past decade is central to India’s economic growth, Union minister Jitendra Singh said on Monday, calling for research to move from laboratories to markets and from ideas to impact.
Speaking at DST’s 56th Foundation Day at the Indian National Science Academy auditorium in New Delhi, the minister of state for Science and Technology outlined a policy direction that integrates scientific research with commercial and industrial outcomes rather than treating them as separate domains.
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India’s science and technology landscape has undergone a decisive transformation over the past decade, Singh said, pointing to policy decisions that opened space and nuclear energy to private participation. These steps have created new opportunities for startups and industry, enabling the country to leverage its human resource base and strengthen its position in the global innovation ecosystem.
Space sector and startup growth
Referring to the space sector’s rapid expansion since opening to private players, Singh said India is witnessing a surge in startup-driven innovation. New capabilities are emerging in areas such as satellite technologies, contributing to both economic growth and national preparedness, he added.
The minister cited the expansion of India’s startup ecosystem as evidence of a maturing innovation landscape. The number of startups has grown from a few hundred a decade ago to over two lakh today, he said.
No country can advance in science by remaining isolated from industry and the private sector, Singh said, calling for deeper collaboration across government, academia and industry. He stressed the importance of indigenous research, noting that India is increasingly developing its own technologies across sectors including pharmaceuticals.
India’s global scientific standing has strengthened significantly, with a growing share of highly cited research publications reflecting both quality and impact, the minister said.
Scientific institutions must actively communicate their achievements and engage with stakeholders, Singh said, noting that visibility and outreach are essential to attract partnerships and ensure wider societal impact. He added that while innovators must be encouraged, it is equally important to build a transparent and merit-based ecosystem that guides young talent with clarity.
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The minister referred to ongoing administrative reforms aimed at improving efficiency and aligning institutions with present-day technological needs, including restructuring of legacy systems and greater decentralisation in decision-making.
Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood spoke about the need to align research with technology development and commercialisation.
DST secretary Abhay Karandikar highlighted major initiatives including the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, the RDI Fund and the National Quantum Mission to strengthen India’s science and innovation ecosystem.
Your Questions, Answered
What policy changes has DST introduced over the past decade?
The Department of Science and Technology has supported policy decisions that opened space and nuclear energy sectors to private participation, enabling startups and industry to access opportunities previously limited to government agencies.
How has India’s startup ecosystem grown under these reforms?
India’s startup ecosystem has expanded from a few hundred startups a decade ago to over two lakh today, according to minister Jitendra Singh, reflecting a maturing innovation landscape.
What major initiatives are strengthening India’s science ecosystem?
Key initiatives include the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, the RDI Fund and the National Quantum Mission, aimed at aligning research with technology development and commercialisation.
What is the government’s new policy direction for science and technology?
The government is pushing for science to move from laboratories to markets and from ideas to impact, integrating research with economic outcomes rather than treating them as separate domains.