In a landmark move, the Government of India has allocated Rs 200 billion in Budget 2025-26 to accelerate research, development, and innovation (R&D&I), reinforcing India's position as a global leader in scientific advancement and deep-tech industries. Addressing the Post Budget Webinar 2025 on "Investing in Innovation," Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh reaffirmed India's commitment to fostering a robust innovation ecosystem and propelling the nation towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

India’s Global R&D and Innovation Leadership Highlighting the nation's meteoric rise in global innovation rankings, Dr. Singh stated:

India now ranks 3rd globally in Startups—a remarkable achievement over the past decade. India ranks 3rd in scientific research, cementing its position as a knowledge powerhouse. The country’s rank in the Global Innovation Index has surged from 81st in 2014 to 39th among 133 economies. Patent grants have increased 17-fold since 2014, reflecting a thriving innovation landscape. This remarkable growth is fuelled by strategic government policies, increased private-sector participation, and a strong focus on deep-tech and sunrise industries.

Strengthening India’s Deep-Tech and Semiconductor Sectors Building upon the Rs 1 trillion corpus introduced in Budget 2024-25 to catalyse private-sector R&D, the latest funding boost will drive advancements in semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, 5G, quantum computing, and geospatial technology.

The National Geospatial Mission, launched under the 2022 National Geospatial Policy, is set to transform urban planning, disaster management, and precision agriculture. Semiconductor and AI-driven industries are key focus areas, with the government promoting strategic investments and industry partnerships. Expanding Research Fellowships to Empower Young Scientists Recognising the need to cultivate world-class research talent, the government has tripled the intake under the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) Scheme.

Originally launched in 2018, the scheme has supported 3,688 scholars. The latest expansion aims to offer 10,000 fellowships over the next five years. “The PMRF is more than financial assistance—it is about nurturing an ecosystem of academic excellence and intellectual curiosity,” said Dr. Jitendra Singh.

Crop Security Strengthened with National Enlarged Gene Bank Replica India’s food security is being fortified with the establishment of a National Enlarged Gene Bank Replica.

India’s National Gene Bank is the second largest globally, preserving over 4.7 lakh accessions of 2,147 species, including traditional crops. The initiative will safeguard biodiversity and enhance agricultural resilience, ensuring long-term food security. Preserving India’s Intellectual Heritage: The Gyan Bharatam Mission Aiming to protect India’s vast manuscript heritage, the government has launched the Gyan Bharatam Mission, which will:

Digitise over one crore ancient manuscripts. Create a National Digital Repository for scholars and researchers worldwide. “India has an unparalleled intellectual and cultural wealth, much of which is fragile and inaccessible. This initiative will ensure its preservation for future generations,” the Minister emphasized.

Innovation as the Cornerstone of India’s Future Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded by reaffirming that these bold investments align with the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, positioning India as a science and technology powerhouse.

“Investment in innovation is not just about economic growth—it is about empowering young minds, strengthening our technological sovereignty, and securing India’s future on the global stage.”

With unprecedented investments in deep-tech, digital infrastructure, and research fellowships, India is making a decisive push towards becoming a global leader in innovation, technology, and scientific research.