Union Minister Jitendra Singh.
Credit: PTI Photo
Mumbai: Indian students abroad now command respect and better offers, said Dr Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Dr Singh, who is also the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Department of Space and Department of Atomic Energy, drew a contrast between the last 11 years and the preceding decade, noting that earlier generations had limited career choices.
“Today’s youth have a wide array of professional avenues, supported by a rise in national self-esteem, which is reflected in how Indian students abroad command respect and better offers,” he said addressing after inaugurating a state-of-the-art Incubation Centre at IIM Mumbai.
He also noted that in recent years, girls have consistently topped the Civil Services Examination, signaling a significant shift in the country’s social landscape.
He also called for greater collaboration among institutions of higher education and scientific research, such as IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, IIMC, and CSIR, to nurture sustainable startups and innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
While interacting with students, Dr. Singh emphasized that “The age of working in silos is over.”
He asserted that the integration of academia, industry, and government is essential for India to meet its rapid development goals. “Greater synergy between the public and private sectors is not an option—it’s a necessity,” he remarked.
He recounted a powerful story of a 16-year-old girl from a militancy-affected town who cracked the IIT entrance exam without coaching, using just a smartphone and determination—“12 hours a day for 8 months, powered by the internet,” she told him. “This is the new India, where dreams transcend limitations,” said the Minister.
Charting India’s rise in research and development, Dr. Singh said, “India’s Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) has doubled in the last decade—from Rs 60,196 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 1,27,381 crore today.”
He underscored that the future of India’s economy will be shaped by homegrown advancements in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. Key to this has been government support, like the launch of India’s first indigenous DNA-based COVID vaccine, under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
He also hailed the BioE3 Policy—Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment—as a game-changer, propelling India to the forefront of global biotech.
With India rising to the 3rd largest startup ecosystem in the world, Dr. Singh revealed that the number of startups has grown from 350 in 2014 to over 1.5 lakh in 2025. “Startups in space tech are adding significant value,” he said, noting that the government has allowed 100% FDI in the space sector and set up a Rs 1,000 crore venture fund for space-based startups.