New Delhi: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh declared India’s technological supremacy in modern warfare, emphasising that the past four days of Operation Sindoor have proven the nation’s capabilities. Speaking at the National Technology Day celebration at the Ambedkar International Centre, he highlighted India’s strides in indigenous technology development over the last decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
“Modern warfare is entirely technology driven and India’s supremacy stands proven over the last four days,” declared Dr Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, highlighting India’s rapid strides in indigenous technology development and its impact on modern warfare during the last one decade of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi regime.
Dr Singh stated that India has successfully developed and deployed home-grown technologies that have significantly enhanced national security and defence capabilities. “Most of the technologies used today in defence are indigenously developed, and it is Prime Minister Modi who instilled the confidence in us to seek Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” he said.
The Minister emphasised that India’s success in modern warfare is a reflection of the progress towards Viksit Bharat @2047. Dr Singh noted that the events of the past four days have once again vindicated India’s technological prowess. Recalling the origins of National Technology Day, he said it was first celebrated in 1998 to commemorate the successful Pokhran nuclear tests, conceptualised by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “The idea that inspired us in 1998 has matured under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, transforming India into a global technology leader,” he added.
Dr Singh highlighted that indigenisation has been a top priority since 2014, with Prime Minister Modi’s consistent push for self-reliance. “India is no longer dependent on external powers. Our success in modern warfare is a reflection of the progress towards Viksit Bharat @2047,” he remarked. He lauded the Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) for supporting pioneering initiatives, including the 1000-drone show during the Beating Retreat ceremony, noting that drones, once symbolic, are now central to India’s evolving defence ecosystem.
He appreciated TDB’s annual tradition of setting a new theme and highlighted this year’s theme “YANTRA,” which signifies transformation through advanced research and technological acceleration. Dr Singh proudly stated that India has scaled up its defence capacity substantially over the last decade and credited Prime Minister Modi for providing an enabling ecosystem for scientific growth. “India was never short of talent, but now we have leadership that fosters innovation,” he said.
Dr Singh detailed India’s remarkable progress in science, technology, and innovation. He noted India’s leap in the Global Innovation Index, moving from the 81st to the 39th position, and that nearly 56% of patents are now filed by resident Indians, demonstrating a surge in domestic innovation. India has emerged as the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, fostering entrepreneurship and technological advancement. In the defence sector, exports have risen substantially from ₹2,000 crore to ₹16,000 crore, showcasing the strength of indigenous capabilities. Budgetary allocations for Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) have more than doubled from ₹60,000 crore to ₹1,27,000 crore, with over a 100% increase in DST and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) budgets. The space sector budget has nearly tripled, driven by the opening up of the sector to private participation, positioning India as a future-ready technological power.
He also mentioned key initiatives like ‘One Nation, One Subscription’ and a single portal for fellowships under the Science and Technology departments, which have improved the ease of doing research in India. During the event, Dr Singh released a compendium of “Super 30 Startups” funded by TDB over the past five years, launched two new calls for proposals under the National Quantum Mission, and handed over project grants to industry-academia consortia working on pilot projects for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS).
‘Padma Bhushan’ Ajai Chowdhary, also present, emphasised the “Whole of Nation” approach to reducing dependence on foreign technology and endorsed initiatives like Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF) for achieving true Aatmanirbharta. The event was attended by Dr Abhay Karandikar, Secretary DST; Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary DBT; Dr Rajesh Pathak, Secretary TDB; senior officials, scientists, and dignitaries from the science and technology community.
Concluding his address, Dr Singh said, “The 27th National Technology Day marks international recognition of India’s leadership in science and technology, setting the tone for India @2047.”
– global bihari bureau
