The Union Ministry of Science & Technology has signalled a shift in how government research institutions and private industry should collaborate. Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, made this call during the 6th RISE Conclave at CSIR-IICB in Kolkata, speaking directly to senior leaders from manufacturing and technology firms.
The New Partnership Model
Dr. Jitendra Singh argued that commercial partners should join research projects at the planning stage itself, not after a technology is already developed. By involving industry early, research labs can incorporate feedback on market demand, design constraints, environmental impact, supply-chain practicality and commercial viability while the technology is still being shaped.
The Minister highlighted several priority areas discussed at the conclave:
- Critical minerals including rare-earth extraction, permanent magnets, lithium processing and recovery of materials like vanadium and titanium
- Foundry and steel sector technologies, with the government willing to host a common research facility if industry players jointly present their needs
- Space technology and specialised optical components
- Pharmaceutical innovation, particularly antivenom production suited to eastern India’s snake species
Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that regulatory hurdles have already been eased and invited industries to flag additional obstacles. He also stressed that innovations in sensitive areas such as healthcare require scientific validation and clinical trials before public use, with companies needing to engage relevant state health authorities.
What this means for you
If you work in manufacturing, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals or technology startups, the government is now actively seeking your input at the earliest research stage. Rather than waiting for finished technologies from labs, your company can shape development to match real market needs. The offer extends beyond formal events, with continuous engagement invited through government and CSIR institutions. However, technologies entering healthcare or regulated sectors will still require proper validation before deployment.