How fast will Science Minister Jitendra Singh be able to expand Indian innovation?

How fast will Science Minister Jitendra Singh be able to expand Indian innovation?

As the world moves towards the Fifth Industrial Revolution or IR 5.0, and possibly the Sixth or Seventh IR in the next decade, the rapidly advancing technology has become the launchpad to fuel the ambitions of various countries.

Is India ready for this? Absolutely not. The future is Artificial Intelligence or AI, which combined with the limitless connectivity of 6G will enable a seamless fusion of the digital, physical and human worlds.

Not to mention Web 3.0, blockchain technology, the Internet of Things, quantum computing and synthetic biology. In space, an entire landscape of aerospace systems is opening up—cislunar space (Earth-Moon corridor) as an economic activity; a convergence of space robotics and human-based space exploration; space tourism beyond near-Earth orbit and drones; this is set to bring about a sea change in the technology of last-minute delivery and warfare.

While there is awareness and interest in India, in the absence of proper sci-tech policies and research priorities as well as funding mechanisms, the task of promoting scientific research and technologies is lagging. As the country is making its mark among space-faring nations, these gaps need to be filled rapidly.

What needs to be done

A big leap is needed

National missions have been announced for critical and emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, green hydrogen, semiconductors and bioeconomy. In 2023, the National Research Foundation for Research was established to promote a culture of research and innovation in India’s universities, colleges, research institutes and R&D laboratories.

The government has also pledged long-term funding of Rs 1 lakh crore in this year’s interim budget. These need to be implemented swiftly and funding, infrastructure, skill gaps need to be filled

– Ahead of the success of Gaganyaan

After successfully landing a spacecraft on the Moon, India needs to successfully send a manned mission. It also needs to build a reliable heavy-lift launcher to achieve its goal of building an Indian space station

– Increase nuclear power capacities

Currently, India operates 22 nuclear power reactors with a total capacity of 6.8 GW, contributing about 3% to the country’s energy mix. This contribution needs to be increased, and its use should be expanded in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and space exploration

– Promoting space start-ups

India has been making efforts to open up the government space economy on a large scale in recent times. The Space Policy, 2023, and the establishment of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) led to the birth of 190 new space tech start-ups. India now needs to expand this to other disciplines

Dr. Jitendra Singh, 67 years, BJP

Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology; Earth Sciences

, Early life Dr Singh is a descendant of a Hindu Dogra family from Jammu. This alumnus of Scindia School, Gwalior, studied medicine and was a professor of diabetes and endocrinology at the University of Jammu

,Political turn His political journey began with active participation in the Amarnath land transfer case, after which he quit his teaching job. He joined the BJP in 2012 and defeated Ghulam Nabi Azad in 2014 and Vikramaditya Singh, grandson of Maharaja Hari Singh, in 2019. This is his third consecutive win from Udhampur

, Current role Dr Singh has been in this role since 2014. During this time India has demonstrated its space prowess with missions to Mars and the Moon, besides passing a law to create the National Research Foundation as a super-research funding agency for breakthroughs and innovation in science and technology

expert opinion

Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Former Chairman, Space Commission; ISRO

“India needs to focus on technology adequacy in a few critical areas as an immediate step in addition to the long-term goal of technology security in strategic sectors.”

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