Speaking at the 27th National Technology Day celebration in Delhi, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh declared that India’s recent demonstrations in defence underscore its emergence as a technological powerhouse. “Modern warfare is entirely technology-driven, and India’s supremacy stands proven over the last four days,” said Dr. Singh, in a clear reference to current geopolitical events and India’s decisive show of strength.
Highlighting indigenous advancements, the Minister attributed the nation’s strategic success to a decade-long push for technological self-reliance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Indigenous Innovation Powers Aatmanirbhar Bharat
Dr. Singh stressed that most of the defence technologies deployed today have been developed indigenously, a result of the confidence instilled by Prime Minister Modi to pursue an Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). “We’re no longer dependent on external powers,” he noted, calling India’s defence preparedness a reflection of progress toward the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
He recalled that National Technology Day, first celebrated in 1998 after the Pokhran nuclear tests, has evolved from a symbolic moment into a milestone of global recognition. “What began as an idea under Atal Bihari Vajpayee has matured into reality under PM Modi,” he said.
Defence Capacity Sees Decade of Growth
Applauding the transformation in India’s defence ecosystem, Dr. Singh pointed to achievements like the use of a 1000-drone show at the Beating Retreat ceremony as a marker of India’s new defence posture. “Drones, once symbolic, are now strategic,” he said, citing them as an example of how technology now defines combat strategy.
The Minister also credited Prime Minister Modi for creating an enabling environment for scientific innovation. “India never lacked talent—what we needed was leadership that nurtured innovation, and today, we have that,” he asserted.
India Rises on Global Innovation Index
India’s scientific and innovation landscape has seen rapid progress in the last decade. The country has leaped from 81st to 39th place in the Global Innovation Index. Dr. Singh noted that 56% of patent applications now come from resident Indians, a sign of domestic innovation flourishing.
He also emphasized India’s emergence as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem and a strong exporter of defence products, with defence exports rising from ₹2,000 crore to ₹16,000 crore.
Budgetary support for research and innovation has also doubled, with Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) growing from ₹60,000 crore to ₹1.27 lakh crore. Departments like the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) have seen more than a 100% increase in their budgets. The space sector too has tripled its allocation, helped by private-sector participation.
New Initiatives Launched, Startups Recognized
At the event, Dr. Singh released a compendium of “Super 30 Startups” supported by the Technology Development Board (TDB) and launched new calls for proposals under the National Quantum Mission. He also handed over project grants for pilot Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) projects to industry-academia consortia.
The 2025 theme for National Technology Day, “YANTRA”, emphasizes transformation through research and technological acceleration, reinforcing India’s tech-forward agenda.
Prime Minister Modi Pays Tribute to 1998 Pokhran Legacy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended greetings on the occasion, recalling the historic Pokhran tests as a defining moment in India’s technological journey. “This is a day to express pride in our scientists and reaffirm our commitment to empowering future generations,” the Prime Minister said in a message posted online.
He noted that India is becoming a global leader in areas such as space, artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and green technologies. “May technology uplift humanity, secure our nation, and drive futuristic growth,” he said.
India of Today Is Not the India of the Past
Referring to a recent statement by a Pakistani minister acknowledging India’s transformation, Dr. Singh said: “Whatever the world has seen in the last few days is a creation of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Armed conflicts today are driven by tech, and we’ve shown that India is no longer the India of the past.”
A Unified Vision for a Technologically Empowered Future
The event was attended by leading scientists, senior officials, and dignitaries, including Padma Bhushan awardee Ajai Chowdhary, who called for a “Whole of Nation” approach to reduce foreign dependency and endorsed research-focused initiatives like Anusandhan NRF.
Also present were Dr. Abhay Karandikar (Secretary, DST), Dr. Rajesh Gokhale (Secretary, DBT), and Dr. Rajesh Pathak (Secretary, TDB), among others, reflecting a strong collaborative push across science and technology institutions.
As India looks toward its centenary in 2047, National Technology Day 2025 sent a clear message: the country is ready to lead the world with innovation, strength, and self-reliance at its core.
