India’s Commitment to Science and Innovation Strengthened with Historic Budget Increase

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the government's unwavering support for science, technology, and innovation at the National Science Day 2025 celebrations held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. He emphasized the significant budgetary increase in various science departments, calling it Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to scientific advancement and national progress.

Dr. Singh revealed that funding for science and technology departments has seen remarkable growth over the past decade. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) saw a budget surge from ₹2,777 crore in 2013-14 to ₹28,509 crore in 2024-25—a 926% increase. Similarly, the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)received a 230% increase, while the Department of Space (DOS) witnessed a 139% rise, reflecting India's strong investment in research and innovation.

Reflecting on India’s decade-long journey in science, Dr. Singh highlighted the country’s transformation into the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. Indian deep-tech startups are tackling challenges in cybersecurity, sustainable energy, healthcare, and manufacturing. A recent survey ranked 5,352 Indian scientists among the world’s top 2%, underscoring India’s growing impact in global research. Additionally, India has climbed from 80th to 39th position in the Global Innovation Index over the last decade.

Dr. Singh hailed Chandrayaan-3’s historic landing on the Moon’s south pole, making India the first nation to achieve this milestone. He also lauded ISRO’s successful launch of the SPADEX mission, which demonstrates advanced spacecraft docking technology. With quantum computing, communication, and cryptography emerging as priority areas, India is poised to become a global leader in quantum research.

During the event, Dr. Singh launched DST’s new initiative for Electric Vehicle Solutions, a project led by startups in collaboration with the Ministry of Heavy Industries and ACMA. This initiative will support local component manufacturing, promoting indigenous innovation and sustainability in the automotive sector.

The theme of National Science Day 2025, "Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science & Innovation for Viksit Bharat," emphasizes India’s investment in young scientists. Dr. Singh dedicated the celebrations to India’s youth, urging them to build expertise in science and innovation to become leaders in Viksit Bharat 2047.

Nine Inclusive Technology Business Incubators (NIDHI-iTBIs) were added to the existing 50 institutes, fostering entrepreneurship across India. Additionally, nine universities under PURSE received ₹75 crore in funding for diverse scientific research, reinforcing India’s commitment to regional innovation.

Dr. Singh announced a ₹1,000 crore venture capital fund for the space sector, aimed at supporting 300 space startups. Additionally, ₹2,000 crore has been allocated for Mission Mausam, an initiative to enhance weather forecasting. The launch of the ₹50,000 crore Anusandhan National Research Fund (NRF) will further strengthen India’s scientific research ecosystem.

Dr. Singh reiterated the government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, ensuring that homegrown technologies drive national development. The Ministry of Science and Technology is working to translate research into real-world applications, benefiting local industries and communities.

The event was attended by Principal Scientific Advisor Prof. A.K. Sood, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan, and several secretaries from science and technology departments. Students from 22 states also joined the celebrations online, reinforcing India's commitment to scientific excellence and innovation.