‘India’s Scientific Journey Transformed in Last 11 Years’, says Dr. Jitendra Singh
"Operation Sindoor" is a testimony to the scientific advancement and capacity-building gained in the last 11 years, which had enabled India to counter drone and missile attacks effectively: Dr Jitendra Singh
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 19th June: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Thursday declared that the last 11 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership have seen a sweeping technological revolution, with science and innovation entering “every Indian household” and reshaping the nation’s scientific temperament.
Speaking at the Economic Times Education Summit 2025 in New Delhi, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and MoS in the PMO, highlighted India’s self-reliance in critical tech sectors and its emergence as a global scientific force.
Operation Sindoor a Symbol of Scientific Strength
Referring to “Operation Sindoor”, Dr. Singh said it stands as a testament to India’s enhanced capacity to counter drone and missile threats, made possible through sustained scientific advancement. “This operation reflects our growing technological capabilities and strategic preparedness,” he added.
India’s Tech-Driven Aspirations
Dr. Singh emphasized the growing aspirations among India’s youth, empowered by breakthroughs in science and innovation. “The rise of aspirations is a reflection of both Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Research,” he said, adding that India’s global image is now one of confidence and capability.
From Talent to Ecosystem
“There was never a lack of talent in India—only the absence of an enabling ecosystem. PM Modi’s visionary leadership created that,” he stated, crediting the government’s bold reforms in the space and nuclear sectors as having a transformative impact across agriculture, education, defence, and governance.
Space, Biotech to Drive India’s Economic Rise
Dr. Singh projected that India’s space economy, currently valued at $8 billion, is expected to grow five-fold to $44 billion, powered by over 300 emerging space startups. “India’s rise as the fourth-largest economy and beyond will be driven by space, marine, and biotechnology sectors,” he said.
He also spotlighted India’s leadership in preventive healthcare, notably the development of the world’s first DNA-based COVID-19 vaccine and the successful execution of the world’s largest vaccination drive.
Axiom-4 Mission & Space Medicine
Looking ahead, Dr. Singh said Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will represent India as Mission Pilot aboard the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), which will include indigenous biotechnology experiments focused on space nutrition and life-support systems using microgravity-compatible biotech kits.
“Even though we started late, we became the first nation to reach the South Pole of the Moon with Chandrayaan-3,” he noted proudly.
Citizen-Centric Tech and AI Caution
Dr. Singh showcased technology’s impact on governance, citing innovations like Face Recognition for Pensioners and CPGRAMS, India’s flagship public grievance redressal platform, which has scaled from handling 2 lakh grievances in 2014 to 26 lakh annually.
However, he cautioned against over-reliance on AI. “We must blend Artificial Intelligence with human intelligence to ensure empathy and integrity in governance,” he advised.
Strategic, Secure, Sovereign Science
“In today’s India, science is not just academic—it is strategic, secure, and sovereign,” Dr. Singh concluded, signalling the country’s readiness to lead in global scientific and technological domains.
