India Emerges as a Leader in Science and Technology, Says Union Minister
New Delhi, November 23: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, said India is now a position to lead others across the world, citing recent success stories under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
Addressing the 8th Convocation of the Academy of Scientific & Innovative Research (AcSIR), an event attended by several esteemed dignitaries, Dr. Singh highlighted the institution's role in fostering interdisciplinary learning, promoting industry-academia collaboration, and driving India's ascent in global science and technology rankings.
"We are not just following others; we have led," said Dr. Singh, who presented Doctor of Science degrees to four renowned scientists. The award recipients include Dr. Raghunath A. Mashelkar, Prof. Samir K. Brahmachari, Prof. Suresh Bhargava and Dr. Thirumalachari Ramasami for their groundbreaking contributions to science and technology.
The institution is recognized for its futuristic academic approach, which blends diverse disciplines with emerging fields like medical research and agriculture. AcSIR has achieved exceptional success in just a few years, ranking among the top 3% of global universities despite being a relatively young institution.
Dr. Singh credited the successful collaboration between institutions such as CSIR, ICMR, and DST, demonstrating effective partnerships in research and development. He also highlighted India's burgeoning startup culture, citing the impact of innovative programs like Integrated PhD (iPhD) on sustainable startups and national innovation rankings.
India has made significant progress under PM Modi's leadership, with notable achievements in space exploration, biotechnology, and cutting-edge sectors. Some examples include: - The rise of 300+ space startups from a single-digit number - Nearly 9,000 startups in the biotechnology sector - India ranking among top 40 countries globally in innovation
"We are witnessing India's emergence as a leader in science and technology," said Dr. Jitendra Singh. "AcSIR is at the forefront of this movement."
Indian government officials, including Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India, Prof. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR & Secretary, DSIR, Prof. Rajiv Bahl, Director General, ICMR & Secretary, DHR and Prof. P. Balaram, Chancellor, AcSIR, attended the ceremony.
The event marks an important milestone in AcSIR's journey to drive innovation and become a benchmark for academic institutions across India.