Resident Indian patent filings surged by 56%
Minister of State for Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh says a change in mindset is critical for innovation, and the related industry must move away from excessive reliance on Government funding.
“We must move away from excessive reliance on government funding and encourage vibrant public-private partnerships to unlock innovation at scale,” he said at the unveiling of ‘NITI Aayog’s Roadmap for Strengthening State Science and Technology Councils’ on 10 July https://www.bseindia.com/.
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, he added.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Jitendra 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 https://www.nseindia.com/.”
Dr Jitendra Singh urged State S&T Councils to act as intermediaries between research labs and communities, enabling grassroots-level impact of scientific innovation.
He 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.
Tracing India’s exceptional S&T trajectory over the past decade, Dr Jitendra Singh informed that resident Indian patent filings have surged by nearly 56%, and 67% of India’s research output now comes from centrally-funded institutions https://www.makeinindia.com/home/.
The Minister described the recently established Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) as a game-changer that will bridge gaps between academia, industry and government, facilitating co-creation and co-investment in research.
He also praised the emerging Bio-E3 cell ecosystem, backed by the Prime Minister, stating, “The next big revolution will be biotech-driven, and India is set to lead the world.”
Referring to the liberalization of space and nuclear sectors for private participation, Dr Jitendra Singh said, “With these domains unlocked, only the sky is the limit for Indian science.”
He called for the Government to assume the role of facilitator rather than controller, encouraging innovation to thrive https://www.meity.gov.in/.
Dr Jitendra Singh also lauded NITI Aayog’s Atal Tinkering Labs initiative, which has nurtured innovation at the school level, providing a strong foundation for India’s next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs.
Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, Suman Bery, emphasized the urgent need for such a roadmap to ensure that State S&T Councils align their efforts with national development goals and drive innovation that is both inclusive and sustainable.
NITI Aayog Member Dr V.K. Saraswat observed that “sustainability must be embedded into the innovation process,” and highlighted the importance of capacity building at the state level to achieve long-term scientific excellence. Fiinews.com
