Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Minister of State in PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the nature of warfare is rapidly changing and is increasingly becoming technology-driven, where traditional man-to-man combat is gradually reducing and advanced technologies are playing a decisive role in strategic preparedness and national security.
Speaking during a fire chat session at the Alternate Media Conference, “Unstoppable Bharat 2026” in New Delhi, Dr Jitendra Singh said that sectors such as space, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and advanced scientific research will play a decisive role in shaping India’s future security architecture and national development.
Referring to recent reforms in the space sector, Dr Jitendra Singh said that opening the sector to private participation and startups has created a vibrant ecosystem of innovation in the country. He said India today has a rapidly expanding space startup ecosystem and the country’s space economy is expected to grow significantly in the coming years as industry, research institutions and young innovators increasingly collaborate.
The Minister said India has no shortage of scientific talent and that the government has been working to create an enabling ecosystem to nurture innovation from an early stage. He referred to initiatives aimed at encouraging students at school and university levels to pursue careers in science and technology and said that programmes such as Vigyan Jyoti and other mentoring initiatives are helping young students, particularly girls, to explore opportunities in research and innovation.
Dr Jitendra Singh also spoke about the need to strengthen India’s scientific base by encouraging young students to identify their aptitude early and pursue diverse fields of research. He said the National Education Policy has created greater flexibility for students to move across disciplines and explore emerging areas of science and technology.
Highlighting the importance of energy security in the era of digital transformation, Dr Jitendra Singh said nuclear energy will play a critical role in supporting future technologies such as artificial intelligence and large-scale data centres which require uninterrupted and reliable power supply.
He said nuclear power provides a clean and dependable source of energy and will be an important component of India’s long-term energy strategy. The Minister also referred to the expanding role of nuclear science in healthcare. He said nuclear medicine is opening new possibilities in the treatment of serious diseases including cancer and blood disorders, and increased research and industry participation will help expand access to advanced medical technologies in the country.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that India is entering a phase where collaboration between government institutions, private industry and the scientific community will accelerate innovation and strengthen national capabilities across sectors such as defence, healthcare, clean energy, and advanced technologies.