National Science Day
Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Feb 28: In a speech today, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the substantial increase in the budget for science departments, showcasing the Modi Government’s dedication to enhancing Science, Technology, and Innovation. During the celebration of “National Science Day” at Vigyan Bhawan, he noted that budget allocations for various scientific departments have grown dramatically over the years. For instance, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) saw its budget rise from Rs 2,777 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 28,509 crore in 2024-25, representing a staggering 926% increase. Similarly, the budget for the Department of Science and Industrial Research (DSIR) increased from Rs 2,013 crore to Rs 6,658 crore during the same period, a growth of 230%. The Department of Space (DOS) also witnessed a notable rise, from Rs 5,615 crore to Rs 13,416 crore, amounting to a 139% increase.
At the event, Dr. Jitendra Singh introduced the new DST initiative focused on Electric Vehicle Solutions, spearheaded by startups in collaboration with the Ministry of Heavy Industries and ACMA.
As the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space, Dr. Singh stated, “India has embarked on a transformative journey to position itself as a global leader in research, innovation, and scientific excellence, aiming for Viksitbharat@2047.”
He reflected on India’s scientific evolution over the past decade, noting that the country has emerged as the third-largest startup ecosystem worldwide, driven largely by innovative, youth-led deep-tech startups that tackle both domestic and global challenges in areas such as communication, cybersecurity, data privacy, sustainable energy, healthcare, and smart manufacturing.
Dr. Singh shared that a recent survey up to December 31 revealed that 5,352 Indian scientific minds are among the top 2 percent worldwide. He also referenced India’s improvement in the Global Innovation Index, noting how the country has moved from the 80th to the 39th position in just ten years, solidifying its status as one of the most innovative nations.
The Minister mentioned several groundbreaking scientific achievements, notably the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the moon’s south pole, making India the first country to achieve this remarkable feat. He also pointed out the successful launch of ISRO’s SPADEX mission on December 30, 2024, which is a pioneering endeavor in spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and undocking.
Dr. Singh emphasized India’s readiness to take a leading role in the global quantum technology arena, focusing on quantum computing, communication, and cryptography, with youth-led deep-tech startups at the forefront of creating solutions for international challenges.
Highlighting this year’s theme, “Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science & Innovation for Viksit Bharat,” he stressed the importance of investing in young scientists and dedicated National Science Day to the youth, encouraging them to build capacity and prepare as future architects of 2047.
He also noted that the number of patent filings has reached an impressive 64,480, with nearly 55.2 percent filed indigenously by resident Indians, signifying a remarkable shift towards innovation and intellectual property development.
Dr. Singh reiterated the Government’s commitment to realizing the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ by fostering the development of indigenous technologies to meet India’s unique needs. The Ministry of Science and Technology is diligently working to ensure innovations transition from laboratories to practical applications, benefitting local communities and positioning India as a global science and technology leader.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration between various scientific departments and the private sector, with government efforts aimed at creating an environment conducive to scientific innovation that aligns with the needs of both public and private sectors.
The celebration was attended by esteemed guests including Prof. A.K. Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India; Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, DG-CSIR and Secretary of DSIR; Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, President of INSA; Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of DST; Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary of DBT; Sh. V. Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO and Secretary of the Department of Space; along with Dr. Rashmi Sharma, Head of NCSTC. Senior officials from State S&T Councils, as well as school and college students from 22 states across India, participated in the Science Day celebrations online.
