New Delhi: India now has a rapidly expanding space startup landscape, and the space economy is expected to grow significantly as industry, research institutions, and young innovators increasingly collaborate, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the PMO Dr Jitendra Singh, said.
He made the remarks during a fireside chat session at the Alternate Media Conference “Unstoppable Bharat 2026” in New Delhi, according to an official statement.
Referring to reforms in the space sector, he said opening the sector to private participation and startups has encouraged innovation and created new opportunities for entrepreneurs and researchers.
The minister also said the nature of warfare is changing quickly, and technology is becoming central to national security and defence preparedness. He noted that traditional forms of combat are gradually giving way to technology-driven systems.
Dr. Singh also said sectors such as space, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and advanced scientific research will shape India’s future security framework and support national development.
The minister further said India has strong scientific talent and the government is working to build an ecosystem that supports innovation from an early stage. He said several initiatives are encouraging students at the school and university levels to pursue careers in science and technology.
Dr. Singh said programmes such as Vigyan Jyoti and other mentoring initiatives are helping students, particularly girls, explore opportunities in research and innovation.
He also stressed the need for students to recognise their interests early and pursue diverse fields of research. He added that the National Education Policy has provided greater flexibility for students to move across disciplines and explore emerging areas of science and technology.
Speaking about energy needs in the era of digital transformation, the minister said nuclear energy will play an important role in supporting technologies such as artificial intelligence and large-scale data centres that require a reliable power supply. He said nuclear power offers a clean and dependable source of energy and will remain a key part of India’s long-term energy strategy.
Dr. Singh also highlighted the growing role of nuclear science in healthcare. He said nuclear medicine is creating new possibilities for treating serious diseases such as cancer and blood disorders, and increased research and industry participation can help expand access to advanced medical technologies.
He added that stronger collaboration among government institutions, private industry, and the scientific community will accelerate innovation and strengthen India’s capabilities in areas such as defence, healthcare, clean energy, and advanced technologies.
