Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh delivered a Special Address at the National Defence College (NDC), New Delhi, on 25 June 2026, engaging senior military officers and course participants in a candid discussion on emerging technologies, innovation-led warfare and the evolving geo-political challenges confronting national security in the 21st century.

Context

In a post shared on X, Dr. Singh described the session as an interactive exchange covering 'emerging technologies, innovation-led warfare strategies and the evolving challenges confronting geo-political scenario and national security.' The address concluded on a reflective note, with the minister acknowledging that 'the nation remains eternally indebted to its soldiers not only for safeguarding the country during times of conflict but also for their invaluable service during disaster situations, emergencies and humanitarian crises.'

Dr. Singh specifically underscored the 'unseen peace-time contributions of the Armed Forces,' calling them an exemplar of 'the true spirit of service and sacrifice' — a framing that broadens the public conversation on military value beyond battlefield roles.

Policy Backdrop

The National Defence College, established as India's premier institution for senior officers and civil servants, regularly hosts high-level forums where the intersection of technology, geopolitics and security doctrine is debated. Dr. Singh's participation as the science and technology minister signals the government's intent to deepen civil-military collaboration on indigenous research and development.

India's defence innovation architecture has evolved considerably since the launch of Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) in 2018, which opened defence technology development to start-ups and private sector entities. Simultaneously, the National Policy on Disaster Management (2009) formally recognised the Armed Forces as first responders alongside the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) — a mandate Dr. Singh's remarks explicitly honoured.

Since the mid-2010s, India has accelerated efforts to integrate technologies such as artificial intelligence, drones and cyber tools into military operations, even as the forces' role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) has expanded. NDC sessions serve as a recurring crucible for these discussions at the highest levels of the officer corps.

Stakeholders and Impact

Senior officers and course participants at the NDC — drawn from across the three services as well as civil services — form the primary audience for such ministerial engagements. The dialogue between a science ministry head and defence leadership carries direct relevance for procurement priorities, R&D funding allocations and joint civil-military technology roadmaps.

The minister's tribute to the armed forces' disaster-relief and humanitarian contributions also resonates with a broader public that has witnessed the forces' deployment in floods, earthquakes and other emergencies across the country. Recognising these 'unseen' contributions at a formal defence forum lends institutional weight to an often under-acknowledged dimension of military service.

What's Next

Observers will watch for follow-up announcements on defence R&D funding or new iDEX challenges in the forthcoming Union Budget, as well as any joint civil-military technology initiatives that may emerge from the NDC engagement. Dr. Singh's address reinforces a pattern of science ministry outreach to the defence establishment — a convergence that is likely to intensify as India pursues greater self-reliance in critical and dual-use technologies.