Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh Calls for Stronger Industry-Academia Partnerships to Accelerate Science-Led Growth.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences; Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh today underscored the need for deeper collaboration between research institutions, industry and startups to accelerate the translation of scientific knowledge into market-ready solutions and national development outcomes.

Addressing an industry interaction session on the sidelines of the RISE Conclave 2026, the Minister emphasised that India has entered an era where scientific advancement must increasingly be assessed through its societal and economic impact. He said that laboratories, academic institutions and industries must work in close coordination to ensure that innovations move beyond the proof-of-concept stage and reach end users at scale.

Highlighting the Government’s commitment to creating an enabling innovation ecosystem, Dr. Jitendra Singh urged industry representatives to candidly articulate the challenges they face in engaging with public-funded research institutions.

The Minister highlighted the growing efforts being undertaken to improve access to indigenous technologies developed through public-funded research. He informed participants that the CSIR Technology Showcase Portal currently hosts more than 800 technologies, offering industries, entrepreneurs and startups a ready platform to identify solutions suited to their requirements and accelerate technology adoption.

Stressing the importance of strengthening industry linkages, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that collaboration with industry should begin at the conceptualisation stage of research projects rather than after technologies have matured. Such early engagement, he noted, would help align scientific pursuits with market requirements, facilitate technology transfer and improve the prospects of commercial success.

Dr. Jitendra Singh also emphasised the importance of shared scientific infrastructure in reducing entry barriers for startups and small enterprises. Citing examples from CSIR laboratories, he said that sophisticated facilities developed through public investment should increasingly function as common platforms accessible to innovators and industries working in emerging sectors.

Referring to advances in clean energy technologies, the Minister highlighted the example of a lithium battery manufacturing facility established with a production capacity of around 1,000 cells per day, demonstrating how scientific infrastructure can support both established industries and emerging enterprises in developing indigenous technological capabilities.

The Minister noted that a strong startup ecosystem requires sustained institutional support beyond incubation. He informed participants that several initiatives have been undertaken to simplify access to scientific infrastructure and support mechanisms for deep-tech enterprises. He observed that emerging technology startups often face unique challenges and therefore require flexible policy frameworks that recognise the realities of innovation-led entrepreneurship.

Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted that dedicated incubation mechanisms are increasingly being developed to nurture startups working in frontier technology domains. He noted that six incubation centres established under the CSIR ecosystem are supporting innovators through mentoring, technical guidance and access to research facilities, thereby strengthening the country’s science-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Underscoring the importance of capacity building, the Minister said that scientific administrators and institutional leaders must also adapt to the changing requirements of the innovation landscape. He referred to ongoing efforts aimed at sensitising administrators to the expectations of industry and startups, thereby fostering a more responsive and collaborative research environment.

Dr. Jitendra Singh encouraged industry leaders to actively engage with research institutions and participate in shaping the country’s scientific agenda. He said that the objective is not merely to generate knowledge but to create technologies, enterprises and solutions that contribute to employment generation, industrial competitiveness and improved quality of life.

The interaction witnessed active participation from representatives of industry associations, startups, researchers and scientific institutions, who shared their experiences and offered suggestions on improving industry access to research infrastructure, enhancing technology transfer mechanisms and promoting innovation-led growth.

Concluding the interaction, Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated the Government’s commitment to fostering a science and technology ecosystem that is open, collaborative and responsive to stakeholder needs. He expressed confidence that stronger partnerships between laboratories, industry and entrepreneurs would accelerate India’s emergence as a global hub of innovation and technological excellence.