The Minister of State (MoS), Science and Technology, has stated that India has transformed into a global leader in science and technology (S&T) over the past decade, attributing this rise to a political environment that encouraged scientific risk-taking and innovation.
India is now establishing global best practices in science and innovation, rather than passively adopting them from abroad. The minister noted that this shift is due to a supportive political dispensation, which gave scientists the freedom to experiment, even without guaranteed success.
Emphasising that India has always had scientific talent, the MoS said that what the country has now moved away from working in silos and is witnessing greater convergence between the public and private sectors.
Further, under the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC), 11 focused national missions have been launched, including the National Quantum Mission and the Green Hydrogen Mission. These missions were designed around priority areas and are being implemented by the respective departments for coordinated national impact.
The official also underlined the importance of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), describing it as a very important initiative that originated from early discussions within the PSA’s office before its formal launch last year.
