MAY 18: Union Minister for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, praised IIT Ropar—one of the newer IITs established in 2008—for its significant role in fostering Agri Startups in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns. Speaking at the Pragati Founder Forum, hosted by IIT Ropar and supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), he highlighted that nearly 50% of India’s startups now originate from smaller towns, signaling a shift from metro-centric entrepreneurship.
Dr. Singh challenged the misconception that startups are confined to IT ventures, emphasizing that traditional sectors like agriculture are being transformed by innovation. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary initiative, “StandUp India, StartUp India,” launched from the Red Fort, for democratizing entrepreneurship across the country.
The Minister stressed the critical role startups play as enablers of India’s economic transformation, helping the nation move from the ‘Fragile Five’ to a future among the world’s top five economies by 2047. India’s jump from 81st to 39th place in the Global Innovation Index reflects the growing impact of science and technology startups, agricultural innovation, and deep tech on the country’s growth trajectory.
Highlighting the upcoming National Research Foundation (NRF), Dr. Singh revealed that 70% of its resources will come from non-government sectors, strengthening public-private partnerships. He also showcased the Purple Revolution—an innovative venture in lavender cultivation that started in Jammu & Kashmir’s hills and now thrives in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, supporting over 3,000 startups. Remarkably, 30% of these entrepreneurs are not graduates, underscoring how government support and market linkages are transforming rural India into an entrepreneurial hub.
During the event, Dr. Singh awarded startups under the Investment category and launched regional editions of the ‘SPRINT’ deep-tech innovation program for Haryana and Telangana. He also unveiled the PRAGATI Report, a blueprint for inclusive innovation, and the “Farming on the Edge” report addressing challenges of small farmers.
Further, Dr. Singh inaugurated the Office of Intellectual Property & Technology Commercialization (OITC) to support startups in IP creation and commercialization. He also praised India’s indigenous military technology developments, referring to Operation Sindoor as a testament to the country’s prowess in tech-enabled warfare.
Concluding, Dr. Singh emphasized that innovation, inclusion, and intent are the pillars driving India’s march toward global leadership by 2047.