Today India is technology-enriched. No longer a follower, it beckons others to follow

ESTIC-2025 has been conceived to move in a time-bound, outcome-oriented manner aligned to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047

- The author, Dr Jitendra Singh, is union minister, government of India

India, which has for long followed global trends in science, is now speeding ahead on the path to become a global leader in science, technology and innovation.

This has been possible through mission-mode programmes, a maturing startup landscape and strong research output under the visionary leadership of prime minister, Narendra Modi.

The footfalls in science and technology (S&T) achievements range from digital empowerment as a powerful tool for financial inclusion accounting for 85% of all digital transactions in India, to low-cost space exploration with global first-time accomplishments like landing on the south pole of the moon. The journey is clearly towards Atmanirbhar Bharat powered by S&T.

From the triumphs of Digital India and Startup India to the successes of Swachh Bharat and One Health, the nation has demonstrated that large-scale transformation can be driven through science, technology, and innovation.

India’s UPI has enabled grassroot entrepreneurship and digital payments. The country’s bioeconomy has grown 16-fold from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024 and the visionary BioE? Policy has been launched linking economic growth with environmental stewardship and new employment opportunities leading the path.

Space mission—Chandrayaan has helped the country find its place among the space-faring nations.

As a precursor to the future Gaganyaan missions, India became the fourth nation in the world to accomplish the autonomous docking of spacecraft in space through the SPADEX mission in 2025.

At the same time the 5G rollout, broadband connections and new technologies are creating the road towards universal access to connectivity. The last mile is catching up fast.