The Union Ministry of Science & Technology has called on Indian industry to play a more active role in converting scientific research into commercially viable products and building domestic technological capabilities. Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, made this appeal while addressing the 121st Annual Session of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi. The push aims to support India’s broader objective of achieving technological self-reliance and strategic sovereignty by 2047.
Key facts
- India has achieved 1,000 kilometres of quantum-secure communication in three years, against an eight-year target of 2,000 kilometres under the National Quantum Mission
- India’s bioeconomy grew from approximately US$10 billion in 2014 to around US$196 billion
- Target set for bioeconomy to reach US$300 billion by 2030
- Address delivered at the 121st Annual Session of PHDCCI in New Delhi
- Focus areas include quantum communication, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, data infrastructure and advanced manufacturing
What the Ministry is asking from industry
Dr. Singh stressed that India must move beyond simply adopting technologies developed elsewhere and instead focus on creating homegrown solutions with global competitiveness. He emphasised that Government, industry, academia, research institutions and start-ups must work together to convert scientific capabilities into indigenous technologies and commercially viable enterprises.
The Minister highlighted that industry participation should begin at the earliest stages of research projects, rather than only at the commercialisation phase. This approach allows scientists to understand market needs, identify specific technological requirements and develop solutions with a clear path to market deployment. Industry bodies like PHDCCI can facilitate these connections by linking researchers with businesses, mobilising investment and building partnerships that move innovations from laboratories to prototypes and finally to market-ready products.
Progress in strategic technology areas
The Ministry cited recent achievements to demonstrate the potential of coordinated research and development efforts. Under the National Quantum Mission, India reached the 1,000-kilometre milestone for quantum-secure communication in just three years, exceeding the pace originally anticipated for this eight-year programme. Quantum communication technology is considered crucial for national security and strategic defence capabilities.
In the bioeconomy sector, India’s expansion has been striking. The sector grew from around US$10 billion in 2014 to approximately US$196 billion in recent years. This growth has been driven partly by the expansion of biotechnology start-ups. The Government is targeting further growth, aiming to reach US$300 billion by 2030, which would position India as a major player in life sciences and advanced biological research globally.
Policy environment and private sector participation
Dr. Singh noted that the expansion of India’s space ecosystem following recent policy reforms offers a model for how scientific capabilities, combined with enabling policies and private sector initiative, can generate significant opportunities. He called for similar approaches in other strategic technology areas. Greater private-sector participation in research, development and innovation is essential to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into commercial applications, he said.
The Ministry particularly emphasised the importance of developing indigenous technologies and reliable energy supplies for emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, data infrastructure and advanced manufacturing. Building domestic capabilities in these strategic and frontier technologies, alongside deeper collaboration between industry and scientific institutions, is necessary to strengthen India’s technological self-reliance and strategic sovereignty.
What this means for you
For researchers and academic institutions, this call signals a shift toward problem-solving science that considers market applicability from the outset. Biotechnology start-ups and companies in quantum technology, AI and advanced manufacturing may find new opportunities for Government support and industry partnerships. Investors and entrepreneurs should expect continued focus on converting research into commercially scalable products rather than theoretical advances alone. Job creation in emerging technology sectors is likely to accelerate if industry responds to this call for greater participation in research-led innovation.
What happens next
The Ministry has emphasised the importance of the Government’s Research, Development and Innovation initiative in achieving these objectives. Industry bodies and chambers of commerce are expected to take the lead in facilitating partnerships between researchers and businesses and in connecting innovators with investment opportunities.