Science & Technology is key growth engine for India’s economic rise: Jitendra Singh

Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Thursday called upon the states to align their scientific vision with the national roadmap of Viksit Bharat @2047, and promote early industry linkages to ensure startup sustainability, not merely through knowledge partnerships, but also through investment partnerships.

Singh, who unveiled the ‘NITI Aayog’s Roadmap for Strengthening State Science and Technology Councils’ at NITI Aayog complex, here said Science and Technology is the key growth engine for India’s economic rise.

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The roadmap is a major step toward building a robust and coordinated science and technology ecosystem across the States to fuel India’s transformation into a knowledge-driven economy.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Singh identified Science and Technology as the key growth engine of India’s economic rise, stating that “If India is to move from the 4th to the 3rd largest economy and beyond, it is science and technology that will drive this growth.”

The Union Minister recalled that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who overhauled the planning framework in 2014, replacing the Planning Commission with NITI Aayog as a forward-looking think tank, which has since guided India’s growth with visionary policies. “This transformation enabled long-term thinking, evidence-based policy, and a shift from fund allocation to strategic coordination,” he emphasised.

Dr Singh highlighted the successful coupling of States and Centre as a case study to harness the full potential of regional scientific talent. He urged State S&T Councils to act as intermediaries between research labs and communities, enabling grassroots-level impact of scientific innovation.

Referring to the liberalisation of space and nuclear sectors for private participation, Dr Singh said, “With these domains unlocked, only the sky’s the limit for Indian science.”

He called for the Government to assume the role of facilitator rather than controller, encouraging innovation to thrive.