How Can States Enhance India’s Technological Self-Reliance and Viksit Bharat Ambitions?
Synopsis
In a recent workshop, NITI Aayog's Vice Chairman urged state institutions to take a leading role in R&D to achieve India's Viksit Bharat goals. The focus on collaboration among government, academia, and industry is key to fostering a robust innovation ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
States need to enhance their role in R&D and innovation.
Collaboration among government, academia, and industry is vital.
Transforming R&D into a continuous governance function is essential.
Grassroots innovations require support to scale effectively.
Building strong research clusters across states is necessary.
New Delhi, Jan 10 (NationPress) State institutions are urged to assume a more significant role in research, development, and innovation to propel India towards achieving technological self-sufficiency and realizing the objectives of Viksit Bharat, stated NITI Aayog's Vice Chairman, Suman Bery, during a speech on Saturday.
At a national workshop titled “Sustaining Innovation: Integrating R&D in State Institutions,” Bery emphasized the necessity to bolster state-level innovation frameworks and establish strong research and innovation clusters throughout the nation.
“India's sustained growth and self-reliance hinge on how efficiently states incorporate R&D into their governance models,” he remarked.
The workshop, which took place on January 8 and 9, was organized at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in Coimbatore, in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology.
It convened institutional heads, planning officials from state departments, industry leaders, and senior government representatives to explore strategies for enhancing India’s state-level innovation landscape.
In her welcoming remarks, Maneesha Vinodini underscored the significance of collaboration among academia, government, and industry in forming effective innovation policies at the state level.
Contextualizing the workshop, Vivek Kumar Singh pointed out that while India has made notable strides in research publications and patents, there exists a gap in translating knowledge into practical products and socio-economic solutions.
He stressed that state engagement is vital for the expansion and sustainability of the country's science, technology, and innovation infrastructure.
The workshop also featured V K Paul, who noted that states should transition from being mere implementers of central policies to co-creators of a resilient national innovation framework.
He remarked that embedding R&D as a continuous governance practice, rather than as separate initiatives, is essential for the next phase of India's innovation evolution.
Lalnilawma highlighted the importance of grassroots innovation, stating that such ideas are often embedded in society but struggle to scale.
He advocated for a transition from beneficiary-driven methods to partnership-oriented public schemes that empower communities to actively participate in innovation.
Point of View
It is imperative that states elevate their engagement in research and innovation. The insights from the workshop underscore a collective responsibility among government, academia, and industry to foster an environment conducive to technological advancement, which is essential for India's progress.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main focus of the workshop organized by NITI Aayog?
The workshop aimed to discuss ways to strengthen state-level innovation systems and embed R&D into governance for achieving India's technological self-reliance.
Who was the keynote speaker at the event?
The keynote speaker was Suman Bery, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog.
Where was the workshop held?
The workshop took place at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Why is state-level participation important in R&D?
State-level participation is crucial for expanding and sustaining India's science, technology, and innovation ecosystem, ensuring that R&D becomes a core governance function.
What was highlighted regarding grassroots innovation?
It was emphasized that grassroots innovations are often rooted in society but fail to scale; thus, a shift towards partnership-based public schemes is needed.
