-Minister Says India Has Evolved from a Technology Follower to a Global Technology Leader Under Prime Minister Modi’s Leadership

NEW DELHI, May 31 (H.S.): Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh has said that the technological transformation witnessed in India over the past 12 years has laid a strong foundation for the vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.

Addressing a programme, Dr. Singh stated that during this period India has progressed from being a nation that followed technological advancements elsewhere to one that is increasingly leading innovation and technological development on the global stage.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, science and technology have been placed at the centre of policymaking, resulting in a significant boost to innovation as well as accelerated growth in research and development.

According to the minister, India is now making rapid strides in several frontier sectors, including space technology, nuclear energy, quantum technology, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and clean energy. These emerging domains, he said, are collectively shaping the country’s technological future and will play a critical role in achieving the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Dr. Singh highlighted the remarkable expansion of India’s space ecosystem following the opening of the sector to private participation. He noted that the number of space start-ups in the country has increased from just a handful to more than 400, reflecting the growing dynamism and innovation within the sector.

Referring to the National Quantum Mission, he said India has already achieved nearly half of its targeted quantum communication capability of approximately 2,000 kilometres during the initial years of implementation. He described this achievement as a strong indicator of the country’s rapidly advancing technological capabilities.

The minister further stated that artificial intelligence is bringing transformative changes across governance, healthcare, agriculture, and education. Through the IndiaAI Mission, the country is steadily moving towards a leadership position in next-generation digital technologies, he added.

Dr. Singh emphasized that India is no longer merely a consumer of technology but is increasingly emerging as a global hub of innovation. The continuous rise in the number of start-ups, patents, and scientific research outputs is reinforcing the country's new identity as a centre of technological excellence and innovation-driven growth.

He asserted that these achievements are creating a robust foundation for India’s long-term development aspirations and strengthening the nation’s capacity to emerge as a leading knowledge-based economy by the centenary year of its independence in 2047.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar