New Delhi, Dec 6 (NationPress) India has emerged as a global success story, achieving remarkable milestones across various sectors including science, innovation, healthcare, and space, as stated by Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of Science and Technology, on Saturday.

During his address at the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025 in Panchkula, Haryana, Singh elaborated on the evolving global perception of India over the past decade.

“The world has recognized that India’s stature has significantly improved; there is a considerable acknowledgment of Indian talent. Additionally, the global perspective on India and its youth has undergone a transformative change,” Singh remarked.

“India stands as a global success story with continuous milestones,” he emphasized, highlighting the achievements in sectors like science, innovation, healthcare, and space.

The Minister pointed out that the nation has “begun to meet global standards and is being acknowledged against international benchmarks.”

“We were part of the Fragile 5 economies back in 2014, but now we are ranked among the top four globally. From a mere 350-400 startups, we have expanded to 1.75 lakh across the nation. We are currently the third largest globally in terms of startups,” he noted.

“In the Global Innovation Index (GII), our ranking was 80 ten years ago, but we have now ascended to the 38th position,” he stated.

He also mentioned that over 55 percent of patent applications in India are now submitted by resident Indian innovators, marking a substantial growth compared to previous years.

“While Neil Armstrong of the U.S. made history with the first Moon landing, ISRO's Chandrayaan 3 made a groundbreaking discovery by detecting water on the lunar surface, igniting hopes for future habitation—an achievement for which we are receiving global accolades,” the Minister added.

In the biotechnology domain, India developed the first DNA vaccine during the devastating Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the country has established itself as a global leader in preventive healthcare with the introduction of the first gene therapy for hemophilia and the first indigenous antibiotic, he highlighted.

The Minister attributed these advancements to the policy reforms enacted over the last decade and the growing collaboration with the private sector.

“These remarkable achievements are the result of a renewed approach to innovation. I firmly believe in fostering strong partnerships with the private sector,” Singh asserted.

Singh underscored the significance of IISF 2025 through the ‘3 Cs’—“celebration, communication, and career.”

He noted that “IISF has evolved into a platform that shapes careers for many young individuals — assisting them in uncovering their hidden potential and aptitudes.”

The four-day event, themed "Vigyan Se Samruddhi: for Aatmanirbhar Bharat," aims to unite scientists, innovators, educators, students, industry leaders, science communicators, and policymakers on a single platform to foster collaboration, creativity, and knowledge exchange.