Addressing the programme "Advancing Research & Innovation Towards Viksit Bharat with the Inauguration of Major Research Initiatives" at IIT Gandhinagar, 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 emphasised that the true value of scientific research lies not merely in publications, but in its ability to create tangible societal and economic impact.
He noted that India requires a robust ecosystem where discoveries move seamlessly from laboratories to deployment through effective collaboration between academia, industry and government. The Minister launched Department of Science & Technology (DST) funded "Central Instrumentation Facility" and three new Research Clusters at IIT Gandhinagar Advanced Materials Research Cluster (AMRC), Energy Research Cluster (ERC), and Healthcare & MedTech Research Cluster (HMRC) aimed at transforming cutting-edge research into deployable solutions for national development.
He highlighted that nearly 70 industries have come forward as founding partners, reflecting growing confidence in industry-academia collaboration. Dr. Jitendra Singh observed that India's critical challenges in materials self-reliance, clean energy and affordable healthcare require sustained efforts beyond research publications.
He said the newly launched clusters embody a translational research approach where scientific discovery is carried through pilot development, validation and technology transfer. Union Minister further said that the spirit underlying recent science policy initiatives has been to democratise access to research opportunities and funding.
Referring to the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), he said that the initiative seeks to ensure that financial and technical support reaches institutions beyond the traditional centres of excellence. He added that India's research ecosystem must draw strength from its diversity by bringing together expertise from science, humanities and social sciences to address national challenges in a holistic manner.
Describing the present period as a decade of science and technology, the Minister said India has increasingly emerged as an active participant in frontier technologies. He noted that initiatives such as the National Quantum Mission and IndiaAI Mission are creating new opportunities for researchers and institutions to contribute to the country's technological advancement.
The Minister also inaugurated the Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) at IIT Gandhinagar and released the CIF booklet. He described shared scientific infrastructure as a critical enabler for innovation, allowing researchers, startups and industries access to sophisticated facilities that individual institutions may find difficult to establish independently.
He noted that such infrastructure would support national priorities, including India's semiconductor mission. During his visit, Dr. Jitendra Singh interacted with startups and faculty-led technology demonstrations at the IIT Gandhinagar Research Park.
Established with support from the Department of Science and Technology, the Research Park serves as a platform for collaboration among researchers, entrepreneurs and industry to accelerate innovation and commercialisation. The facility currently hosts over 20 companies and supports more than 30 startups.
Stressing the importance of industry participation, Dr. Jitendra Singh advocated for early industry linkage in research programmes. He said that collaboration with industry should begin at the stage of conceptualisation itself rather than after the completion of research, enabling smoother technology transfer and alignment with societal needs.
Referring to the recently announced ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) initiative, the Minister said it reflects the Government's commitment to strengthening private-sector participation in research and innovation. He also encouraged institutions and innovators to engage with industry and philanthropic organisations to mobilise greater support for scientific research.
During the visit, the Minister also interacted with representatives of NAMTECH, appreciating efforts aimed at developing future-ready talent through industry-integrated learning models aligned with emerging technological sectors. Dr. Jitendra Singh also released a publication showcasing IIT Gandhinagar's top 25 research achievements of 2025.
Appreciating the institute's interdisciplinary approach, he noted that IIT Gandhinagar has distinguished itself through its emphasis on sustainable development, creative learning and research directed towards solving real-world problems.
Concluding his address, the Minister expressed confidence that initiatives such as the research clusters, shared scientific infrastructure and industry-linked innovation ecosystems would strengthen India's scientific capabilities and contribute meaningfully towards achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
He stated that India's path to becoming a developed nation would be built through institutions where research meets industry and innovation translates into national capability.