Calls for greater synergy between innovation and industry

Science should not be confined behind gates. If your domain is agriculture, invite the farmers in. Let them see what you’re doing. - Dr Jitendra Singh Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences said that India’s moment in science and innovation has arrived. Addressing a gathering of scientists, entrepreneurs, students, and policymakers at the Startup Conclave jointly organized by CSIR-IICT, CSIR-CCMB, and CSIR-NGRI in Hyderabad he said that India’s moment in Science has arrived but also added that there was a need to integrate with the industry, break silos and work in tandem with the stakeholders.

The Minister made a strong pitch for dismantling the outdated image of government labs as “ghost-haunted places where frogs are dissected,” narrating how villagers once misunderstood the work of CSIR labs due to lack of public outreach. “Science should not be confined behind gates. If your domain is agriculture, invite the farmers in. Let them see what you’re doing,” he asserted.

Dr Jitendra Singh underlined the need for early and deep industry involvement in research and innovation, pointing to the success of CSIR’s Aroma Mission, where over 3,000 youth, many of them non-graduates, became successful agri-entrepreneurs with minimum annual earnings of ₹60 lakh. “That’s the real transformation—a blend of technology, livelihood, and dignity,” he said.

Dr. Jitendra Singh recalled that in 2014, there were only 50 biotech startups. Today, the number exceeds 10,000. “It’s not just numbers. We’ve moved from $10 billion to nearly $170 billion in biotech valuation. This is not just growth, it’s a revolution,” he said. 

Dr. Jitendra Singh expressed concern over internal compartmentalization within CSIR and even within his own Ministry. He revealed that he now holds monthly joint meetings of all science departments including Atomic Energy, Space, and Biotechnology, to ensure overlapping initiatives are integrated rather than duplicated. “How can we compete globally if we don’t even know what our neighbouring lab is doing?” he questioned.

The Minister also announced plans to open up the nuclear sector, noting that a new realism has replaced the secrecy that once shrouded scientific endeavours. “When Google can peek into our lives, what’s the point of denying access to potential collaborators in the name of confidentiality?” he asked.

Demand driven innovation

“Let the industry do the mapping. Let them invest from day one. If they put in ₹20, they’ll make sure your startup doesn’t fail,” he said, encouraging researchers to see industry not just as a customer but as a co-investor.

Dr. Jitendra Singh said that support for—CSIR and DSIR budgets have risen over 230% since 2014.” Dr Jitendra Singh emphasized that Hyderabad, with its unique blend of scientific legacy and tech-savvy spirit, is best positioned to lead India’s science-led development agenda.