New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced major steps to boost science, technology, and innovation in India. Speaking at the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025, the Prime Minister shared plans to support young researchers, increase funding for new ideas, and expand learning opportunities for students across the country.
The government's main goal is to make India a leader in new technologies and research. These updates aim to help more people, especially students, get involved in science and innovation. The announcements include new government schemes, more fellowships, and setting up more learning labs.
Big Boost for Research and New Ideas
To help Indian universities do more research and create new things, the government has set up the Anusandhan National Research Foundation . This new body will work to make research activities grow stronger in colleges and universities.
In a big move, Prime Minister Modi also launched the Research, Development and Innovation Scheme . For this scheme, the government has given ₹1 lakh crore (which is 100,000 crore rupees) to support new research and development projects. This large amount of money will help scientists and innovators turn their ideas into real-world solutions.
More Fellowships for Young Researchers
The Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship program has been very successful, helping many young researchers in India. Building on this success, the Prime Minister announced that 10,000 new fellowships will be given out over the next five years. This will provide financial support and opportunities for more students to pursue advanced research in different fields.
Expanding Learning Opportunities for Students
The government is also focusing on encouraging school children to be curious and creative. Many students are already experimenting and learning in special labs. Here is a quick look at some key numbers:
| Atal Tinkering Labs (Already Set Up) | Nearly 10,000 |
| Children Using Labs | Over 1 crore (10 million) |
| New Atal Tinkering Labs (Planned) | 25,000 |
| New Research Fellowships (Next 5 Years) | 10,000 |
Because the existing Atal Tinkering Labs have been so popular and successful, the government plans to set up 25,000 more labs . These labs give students a chance to do hands-on experiments and develop new ideas, starting from a young age.
Empowering Women in Science and Education
India has seen big changes in how many women are involved in science and technology. Prime Minister Modi highlighted important progress in this area:
- A decade ago, fewer than 100 patents were filed by women in India each year. Today, this number has grown to more than 5,000 patents per year . This shows a big increase in women creating new inventions and ideas.
- Around 43 percent of students joining STEM courses (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) in India are now women. This means more women are choosing careers in science and technology.
Growth in Education System
The education system in India has also expanded. In recent years, hundreds of new universities have been opened. This includes seven new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and sixteen new Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) . These new institutions offer more seats and better quality education for students.
Under the new national education plan, called the New Education Policy , students can now study STEM subjects like science and engineering in their own local languages. This change aims to make technical education easier to access and understand for more students from different parts of India.
These new initiatives and investments show India's commitment to building a future where science, innovation, and technology drive growth and bring positive changes for everyone.
