India’s Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, stated that India has surpassed the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” goal and is now being relied upon by other nations for its capabilities. The country has shifted from import reliance to exporting goods worth crores, with a focus on vaccines, medical devices, and indigenous technologies, showcasing global trust in Indian science and technology.
Dr. Singh emphasized the importance of industry collaboration in research, highlighting the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research’s (DSIR) role in providing fiscal incentives like customs duty exemptions to encourage partnerships with government-supported research and development. He also announced a significant relaxation in the recognition criteria for deep-tech startups under DSIR’s Industrial Research and Development Promotion Programme, aiming to boost India’s startup ecosystem.
The Minister underscored the government’s support for early-stage innovators and startups by removing the mandatory three-year existence condition for financial assistance programs. This move is intended to accelerate the growth of deep-tech startups and sustain their development, reflecting the government’s confidence in Indian innovators and their long-term success. Dr. Singh also commended the increasing participation of women in innovation, with over 10,000 women beneficiaries currently benefiting from DSIR schemes.
