Key Takeaways
- India’s startup ecosystem has surged to over 200,000, ranking as the world’s third largest.
- The country improved its Global Innovation Index ranking from 80 to 38 and ranks sixth in global patent filings.
- A technology compendium highlighting indigenous innovations was released, featuring 293 technologies, including key advancements from NIFTEM-K.
Vigyan TECH 2026 Inaugurated
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh inaugurated Vigyan TECH 2026 at the National Institute of Immunology in New Delhi, emphasizing India’s emergence as a global innovation leader. The event coincided with National Technology Day, where Singh noted a dramatic increase in the country’s startup ecosystem, now boasting over 200,000 startups compared to 350-400 in 2014, making it the third-largest globally. Singh highlighted India’s ascent in the Global Innovation Index from a ranking of 80 to 38. The country is sixth in the world for patent filings, with over 100,000 patents submitted annually.
The event’s theme, “Building India’s Innovation Ecosystem for Viksit Bharat,” gathered 14 ministries and departments to showcase collaborative technological advancements. A special message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, delivered by Biotechnology Secretary Rajesh S. Gokhale, emphasized the importance of multi-ministerial collaboration to bolster India’s innovation landscape.
A significant highlight of the event was the launch of a technology compendium titled “TECH-Sangrah,” showcasing indigenous innovations from scientific institutions across India. The National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM-K) was a prominent participant, featuring 23 technologies out of a total of 293 highlighted in the compendium. NIFTEM-K successfully transferred three technologies to industry partners and startups, including sustainable food processing solutions such as hybrid solar dryers and the development of nutritious food products like granola bars and various millet-based snacks.
Additional presentations focused on food safety technologies, including rapid detection kits for food adulterants and contaminants, gluten-free products, probiotic formulations, and vitamin D-enriched mushroom flour. These innovations attracted attention from scientists, policymakers, and industry representatives at the exhibition.
Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood described Vigyan TECH 2026 as a groundbreaking government initiative, underscoring the need for technological collaboration to tackle pressing issues in health, agriculture, and climate change. Discussions during the event centered on accelerating innovation-led growth and reinforcing scientific cooperation, aligning with India’s long-term vision for Viksit Bharat by 2047.
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