Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, today emphasized the need for early industry linkages and a collaborative funding model to ensure the sustainability of startups in India. Speaking at the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) High-Level Committee Meeting at NITI Aayog, he called for a joint investment approach where the government and industry share responsibility to nurture innovation ecosystems.
‘A joint investment model, where industry and government work hand-in-hand, guarantees mutual commitment and nurtures an innovation ecosystem built on cooperation and shared stakes,’ Dr. Singh remarked.
The Minister highlighted the importance of AIM 2.0 in fostering entrepreneurship, strengthening public-private partnerships (PPP), and integrating industry connections to sustain startups and propel India’s innovation agenda forward. Acknowledging the success of AIM 1.0, he credited enabling policies introduced post-2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for catalyzing India’s innovation landscape.
‘While we have always had the talent, the transformation has been catalyzed by the visionary policies of the Prime Minister, enabling initiatives like AIM to flourish,’ he noted.
Dr. Singh addressed concerns regarding AIM 2.0’s transition into a ministerial framework, advocating for a hybrid structure that retains the mission’s intellectual and creative independence. He suggested adopting models similar to those in sectors like space and biotechnology.
The Minister also proposed developing an aspirational framework to rate startups based on key indices such as publication impact, viability, and livelihood generation. Our innovation ecosystem must ultimately contribute to creating livelihoods; otherwise, its impact remains limited, he stated.
Highlighting recent scientific achievements like gene therapy trials published in The New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Singh urged Indian researchers to aim for international benchmarks to bolster confidence and credibility. He also emphasized a language-neutral approach to innovation, calling for solutions to translation challenges to ensure equitable opportunities for regional participants.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Singh expressed optimism about AIM’s future, envisioning a progressive trajectory towards AIM 3.0 and beyond. ‘Our journey of innovation is far from over. With strengthened partnerships and an expanded ecosystem, we aim to position India as a global leader in innovation,’ he declared.
The AIM High-Level Committee Meeting brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and academic experts to deliberate on the roadmap for AIM 2.0. The discussions reflected a shared commitment to fostering a vibrant and sustainable innovation ecosystem in India.
