“Ease of Doing Research Is Our Focus,” says PM Modi

• PM Modi launched ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme at ESTIC 2025.
• Stressed on building a modern innovation ecosystem through ease of research.
• India to host Global AI Summit 2026; focus on ethical, human-centric AI.
• 25,000 new Atal Tinkering Labs and 10,000 Research Fellowships announced.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 3rd Nov: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, where he unveiled the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme to bolster India’s research capabilities and private sector-driven innovation.

“Ease of doing research is our focus so that a modern innovation ecosystem can flourish in India,” said PM Modi, stressing the government’s commitment to advancing scientific progress through reforms in research funding and regulation.

Congratulating the Indian women’s cricket team for winning the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 and applauding ISRO for the successful launch of India’s heaviest communication satellite, the Prime Minister said these achievements reflect the nation’s growing scientific spirit.

Highlighting India’s transformation, he stated, “When science meets scale, innovation becomes inclusive, and technology drives transformation, great achievements follow.” He emphasised that India has evolved from being a consumer of technology to a global innovation pioneer, powered by the world’s most advanced Digital Public Infrastructure.

PM Modi shared that India’s R&D expenditure has doubled in a decade, patent registrations have increased 17-fold, and over 6,000 deep-tech startups are shaping the country’s innovation landscape.

Emphasising inclusive growth, he highlighted that 43% of STEM students in India are women, filing over 5,000 patents annually. To encourage young innovators, the government will establish 25,000 new Atal Tinkering Labs and award 10,000 Prime Minister’s Research Fellowships.

On Artificial Intelligence, the Prime Minister announced that India will host the Global AI Summit in February 2026 and introduce a global AI Governance Framework promoting ethical and human-centric innovation.

Calling for innovation in clean energy, genomic mapping, and sustainable agriculture, he urged scientists to steer India toward self-reliance in critical technologies. Concluding, he invoked “Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan,” expressing confidence that ESTIC 2025 would mark a milestone in India’s innovation journey.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, and Nobel Laureate Sir Andre Geim were present at the event.