Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday, 31 May said that India has completed a fundamental transformation — from a nation that adopted technologies developed elsewhere to one that is now actively shaping the future of global innovation. Speaking during a podcast, the minister attributed this shift to 12 years of science-first policymaking under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it the bedrock of the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.

From Follower to Frontier

'The last twelve years have witnessed India's transition from a technology follower to a technology leader. The scientific capabilities, innovation ecosystem and technological infrastructure created during this period have laid the foundation for Viksit Bharat @2047,' Dr Singh said.

He acknowledged that for decades India largely entered emerging technological domains years after developed nations. That pattern, he argued, has now reversed. 'Today, India is increasingly participating in the development of frontier technologies at the global level and, in several sectors, is helping shape the future direction of innovation itself,' he added.

Policy Shift Under PM Modi

Dr Singh credited Prime Minister Modi with placing science and technology at the centre of national policymaking, while simultaneously encouraging private-sector participation, innovation-led entrepreneurship and citizen-centric scientific advancement. This policy approach, he said, has enabled India to build a technology ecosystem that supports economic growth, strategic capability and public service delivery at the same time.

Key Sectors Leading the Charge

The minister highlighted major advancements across space, nuclear energy, quantum technology, biotechnology, artificial intelligence and clean energy as evidence of India's frontier-technology credentials. Each of these sectors, he noted, now carries both domestic utility and global strategic weight.

Space Economy: From Single Digits to 400+ Startups

On the space sector specifically, Dr Singh pointed to the liberalisation of private participation as a turning point. The number of space startups has grown from single digits to over 400, and India's space economy — currently valued at nearly USD 9 billion — is projected to expand significantly in the years ahead. This comes amid a broader global race for commercial space dominance, in which India is now considered a credible low-cost launch and services hub.

What This Means for Viksit Bharat

The minister's remarks frame technology leadership not merely as a point of national pride but as a structural prerequisite for India's 2047 centenary goals. Notably, the push spans both hard infrastructure — launch vehicles, reactors, quantum labs — and soft ecosystems such as startup culture and skilling pipelines. Whether the gains translate into sustained GDP impact and export competitiveness will be the real measure of the transition he described.