Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday, 15 October 2026, called on India's youth to take ownership of their learning, embrace emerging technologies, and actively contribute to the country's development. Addressing the inaugural session of the SRCC Centenary Conclave in New Delhi, Goyal linked youth ambition and technological readiness directly to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Key Developments at the SRCC Conclave

Goyal urged students to prepare for a rapidly shifting employment landscape by building proficiency in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and the practical deployment of emerging technologies. He stressed that large language models and other AI systems must be developed into usable tools accessible to businesses and ordinary citizens alike — not merely adopted from abroad.

The minister also highlighted that sustained effort, ambitious personal goals, and a willingness to take on new challenges would enable young Indians to create better opportunities for future generations and strengthen India's standing in the global economy.

Lessons from India's IT Boom

Drawing a direct parallel with India's meteoric rise in the information technology sector during the 1990s and 2000s, Goyal challenged today's students to go beyond being consumers of new technology. He urged them to take a leading role in developing and applying innovations — mirroring the generation that built India's software services industry into a global force. The message was clear: the next wave must be driven by Indian creators, not just Indian adopters.

Skills, Startups, and Lifelong Learning

Goyal underscored continuous learning as a lifelong responsibility, encouraging students to identify emerging opportunities that could help advance business growth, ease of doing business, and ease of living. He specifically acknowledged the entrepreneurial spirit of young startup founders who are taking risks and pursuing innovative solutions to real-world challenges.

Investments in manufacturing, technology adoption, and skill development, he said, would collectively create a pipeline of opportunities for India's youth while bolstering the country's economic competitiveness.

Culture, Duty, and Collective Effort

The minister also invoked India's culture, traditions, and heritage as foundational pillars shaping the country's future. He called for a stronger sense of collective duty among citizens, arguing that the combined efforts of individuals — each defining their own ambitions — would propel India toward becoming a leading global power by 2047.

With SRCC marking its centenary, Goyal's address framed the occasion as a moment for reflection and forward momentum, urging the next generation to define India's technological and economic trajectory rather than merely inherit it.