Minister: As India moves beyond Atmanirbhar Bharat, the world’s economy depend more and more on us
Minister: According to Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, India has transcended the objective of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and is now entering a period when other countries are becoming more reliant on the nation’s capabilities.
Speaking at the 42nd Foundation Day of the Ministry of Science & Technology’s (MoST) Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Singh said that India has moved from reliance on imports to exports valued at several crores.
He cited vaccinations, medical gadgets, and indigenous technologies as examples of how Indian science and technology are becoming more widely accepted worldwide. He said that in addition to being independent, we are forcing people to depend on us.
The Minister emphasized the four pillars of DSIR: science, industry, R&D, and technology transfer. Without industry as an early and crucial partner, effective research cannot be maintained, she stated.
He pointed out that DSIR’s responsibilities have grown beyond certification to include financial incentives like exemptions from customs duties, which makes working with government-funded R&D more alluring to businesses, MSMEs, and startups.
Singh also said that the three-year existence requirement for deep-tech businesses to be recognized under the DSIR’s Industrial Research and Development Promotion Program will be significantly relaxed.
The action, which aims to accelerate India’s startup ecosystem, is anticipated to provide bright innovators and entrepreneurs, as well as early beginnings or beginners of startup ventures, early impetus.
There are currently several programs available for startups and early-stage entrepreneurs from departments like DST, CSIR, TDB, and others. “Even before they are completely independent, the elimination of the three-year existence requirement is a major incentive to help deep-tech startups scale faster,” he said.
The government’s faith in Indian inventors’ sustainability and aim is reflected in the change.
According to the Minister, the CSIR has previously provided financial aid to startups in the form of loans in a range of amounts, sometimes reaching Rs 1 crore. However, these loans were contingent on the startups proving their viability and sustainability over a minimum of three years.
The Minister declared, “That requirement has now been done away with,” characterizing the action as a significant incentive with the admirable goal of fostering and sustaining new deep-tech startups before they are completely established on their own, all the while upholding suitable evaluation criteria connected to technological maturity.
A healthy and irreversible transformation in India’s innovation culture, the Minister also emphasized the significant engagement of women, noting that over 10,000 women beneficiaries are actively using DSIR initiatives, including over 55 women-led Self-Help Groups.