PM Urges India to Lead in Future Technologies
Why in News?
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke at the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave 2026 in New Delhi on 27 October and toured the exhibition, News On AIR reported.
- He said India must embrace future technologies, innovate boldly and lead in creating them, and that a Viksit Bharat will rest on scientific research, discoveries and a spirit of innovation.
- The three-day conclave has around 150 deep-tech startup stalls and discussions on 12 thematic areas, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced materials, healthcare, energy, climate and ocean sciences.
- Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh spoke at a session on System and Synthetic Biology.
Key Terminologies
- Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave
- A three-day gathering in New Delhi of scientists, researchers, academics, policymakers, industry leaders, startups and international experts. The Tribune reported that it runs from 27 to 29 October at Bharat Mandapam and includes three Nobel laureates.
- Deep-Tech Startup
- A startup built on advanced scientific or engineering research, such as in biotechnology, quantum or advanced materials, rather than on a simple app or service.
- Synthetic Biology
- A field that designs or rebuilds biological parts and systems, including making genes. Jitendra Singh said India must strengthen indigenous technology for gene synthesis.
- Research Development and Innovation Scheme
- A scheme with a corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore approved by the Cabinet in July 2025 to scale up research in strategic and sunrise areas. It sits under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
Key Issues
- Dependence on Foreign Technology: Modi said India aims for self-reliance and strength in critical technologies, which points to the need to reduce reliance on imports of advanced tools and know-how.
- Domestic Capacity in Biotechnology: Jitendra Singh said India needs to build domestic capabilities in emerging biotechnology and strengthen indigenous gene synthesis technology.
- Funding of Research: The Rs 1 lakh crore Research Development and Innovation scheme gives long-term, low or nil-interest loans and equity, but a Tribune commentary questioned its heavy governance and overlap with existing funds.
- Turning Research into Products: Scientists, startups and industry must link, so that laboratory results reach markets.
- Use of Genetic Diversity: India's rich genetic diversity can support research on disease variation, but it needs ethical rules for data and sharing.
Key Implications
Positive/Pros/Merits
- Clear Policy Message: The Prime Minister's call to lead in creating future technologies sets a direction for research and industry.
- Space for Startups: About 150 deep-tech startup stalls show growing activity, and the conclave brings startups, scientists and industry together.
- Wide Themes: The 12 thematic areas, from AI and biotechnology to ocean sciences, match national priorities.
- Showcases: The Tribune reported that the world's first two genome-edited rice varieties and India's first telomere-to-telomere reference genome of pigeonpea are featured.
Negative/Cons/Demerits
- Talk Versus Delivery: Conclaves can inspire but do not by themselves raise research spending or output.
- Slow Disbursal: An early report said only about Rs 3,000 crore of the first year's Rs 20,000 crore allocation of the research scheme had been spent.
- Selection Concerns: The Government had to defend the fund's selection process and its safeguards against conflict of interest, The Tribune reported.
- Limited Detail: The report reviewed does not mention any new announcements at the conclave.
Key Initiatives
- Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave 2026: It runs for three days in New Delhi with an exhibition of around 150 deep-tech startup stalls.
- Research Development and Innovation Scheme: The Cabinet approved it in July 2025 with a corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore, and the fund was launched on 3 November 2025.
- Anusandhan National Research Foundation: It provides strategic direction for the fund, with the Department of Science and Technology as nodal department.
- Technology Development Board: It acts as a second-level fund manager and releases support after beneficiaries bring matching funds.
- Global Connect Networking Event: The conclave brings together more than 300 invited participants from academia, research and industry, News On AIR reported.
The Department of Science and Technology and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation run the main research schemes. The reports reviewed do not describe new funding announced at the conclave.
Director's Perspective
Way Forward
- Publish yearly figures on funds sanctioned and disbursed under the research scheme, so that its reach is clear.
- Set up shared national facilities for gene synthesis and biotechnology, so that startups do not depend on imports.
- Frame rules for use of Indian genetic data, so that research benefits the public and respects privacy.
The conclave shows the Government's push for self-reliance in critical technologies and for deep-tech startups. The strengths are a clear national message, broad themes and a large research fund, while the weaknesses are slow spending and the need to turn research into products. In a Mains answer, credit the focus on technology and startups, then conclude that results depend on funding that is released on time, strong domestic capacity and clear rules on data.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave 2026?
It is a three-day event in New Delhi, reported to run from 27 to 29 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam. It has an exhibition of around 150 deep-tech startup stalls and discussions on 12 thematic areas, including AI, biotechnology, advanced materials, healthcare, energy, climate and ocean sciences.
What did Prime Minister Modi say at the conclave?
He said India must embrace future technologies, innovate boldly and lead the world in creating them. He said a Viksit Bharat will rest on scientific research, discoveries and a spirit of innovation, and that India aims for self-reliance and strength in critical technologies, News On AIR reported.
What did Jitendra Singh say about gene research?
At a session on System and Synthetic Biology, he said India's genetic and phenotypic diversity is a strong base for research, that India needs to build domestic biotechnology capabilities and indigenous gene synthesis technology, and that it can become an important source of genetic resources for global science.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Research Development and Innovation scheme has a corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore.
It sits under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
2 Synthetic biology involves designing or rebuilding biological parts and systems.
Gene synthesis is one such area.
3 The Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave 2026 lasts for one day.
It is a three-day event.