03 NOV 2025, New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. He launched a new ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme to support scientists, startups, and private companies in developing new technologies and ideas.
PM Modi said the government is focusing on making “Ease of Doing Research” just like the “Ease of Doing Business.” This means researchers and startups will get better support, funding, and simpler rules to carry out their work.
He said, “When science meets scale, when innovation becomes inclusive, and when technology drives transformation great achievements happen.”
India: From Tech User to Tech Leader
The Prime Minister proudly said that India is no longer just a user of technology, but a leader in innovation.
He highlighted India’s success in building the world’s best digital public infrastructure, such as UPI and Aadhaar, and said that India is also shaping global rules for ethical and human-centric Artificial Intelligence (AI).
PM Modi also announced that India will host the Global AI Summit in February 2026.
India’s Rapid Growth in Science & Startups
PM Modi shared that:
- India’s R&D spending has doubled in the last 10 years.
- The number of patents filed has grown 17 times.
- India is now the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world.
- Over 6,000 deep-tech startups are working in areas like clean energy and advanced materials.
- The bio-economy has grown from $10 billion in 2014 to $140 billion today.
He also said that the semiconductor industry in India is growing fast and that the country is doing well in green hydrogen, quantum computing, and deep-sea research.
Focus on Youth and Women in Science
The Prime Minister praised Indian women scientists, saying that patent filings by women have increased from less than 100 to over 5,000 per year. He also said that 43% of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) students in India are women, which is higher than the global average.
He encouraged young students to take interest in science and innovation. Around 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs have already been set up where over 1 crore students are learning by experimenting. Now, 25,000 more labs will be created.
Support for Researchers and AI Innovation
PM Modi announced that 10,000 new Prime Minister’s Research Fellowships will be given in the next five years to support young researchers.
He also said that under the India AI Mission, the government is investing over ₹10,000 crore to make AI useful for everyone from education to farming to businesses.
He emphasized that AI should be ethical and human-friendly, and India is working on a global framework to ensure this.
Why It Matters
This new ₹1 lakh crore RDI Scheme will help:
- Startups and companies get funds for risky but high-impact projects.
- Universities and researchers develop new technologies faster.
- India move towards becoming a tech-driven, innovation-led economy.
The event ESTIC 2025 will run from 3rd to 5th November and will host over 3,000 participants from around the world, including scientists, innovators, and Nobel laureates.
PM Modi’s message was clear, India’s future lies in innovation, research, and technology. With stronger support for startups and scientists, India aims to become a global hub for science and innovation in the coming decade.
Source- PIB
