THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, JUNE 26, 2026

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Nuclear Energy, Space and Quantum Technologies will define the contours of future economic growth, national security and global competitiveness, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Friday, asserting that India is rapidly emerging as a global force in frontier technologies with significant strides already achieved under the National Quantum Mission (NQM).

Speaking during a fireside conversation at a Media Conclave organised by a leading news channel in New Delhi, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, said India is progressing alongside the world's leading nations in several critical technology domains while steadily building capabilities that will shape the next era of economic development.

Highlighting India's achievements under the National Quantum Mission, Dr. Singh said that more than half of the Mission's targeted outcomes have already been accomplished within just three years of its launch in 2023. He noted that substantial progress has been made in quantum-secure communication, a technology with significant applications in defence, strategic communications, cybersecurity and the protection of sensitive information.

The Minister said the rapid pace of progress under the Mission reflects India's expanding scientific capabilities and its determination to become a global leader in emerging technologies. He added that the country is advancing across the entire quantum ecosystem, including quantum communication, quantum computing and related research.

Emphasising the strategic importance of frontier technologies, Dr. Singh said Space, Nuclear and Quantum Technologies will play a decisive role in shaping the future world order by influencing economic advancement, strategic strength and geopolitical positioning. "Countries that fall behind in these technologies risk falling behind in both development and security," he observed.

On Artificial Intelligence, the Minister said AI is rapidly becoming an indispensable tool across sectors and will increasingly transform governance, industry, education, healthcare, research and public service delivery. He said India is simultaneously strengthening the supporting ecosystem through investments in digital infrastructure, computing capacity, data resources and reliable energy systems.

Dr. Singh stressed that technological progress has become the principal driver of growth in the modern world, adding that no nation can sustain long-term development without embracing innovation and frontier technologies. He said India is pursuing this technological transformation while remaining committed to inclusive growth, democratic values and social welfare.

The Minister credited a series of policy reforms under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for expanding opportunities in innovation, entrepreneurship and scientific advancement. He said the opening up of the Space sector has already catalysed a vibrant startup ecosystem, while recent reforms in the Nuclear sector are expected to accelerate investments, technological collaboration and capacity creation in this strategically significant domain.

Referring to India's growing digital economy, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the increasing demand for advanced computing, data centres and digital services would require robust and dependable energy sources. In this context, he emphasised that Nuclear Energy would play an increasingly important role in supporting India's technology-driven growth while contributing to the country's clean energy transition.

Speaking on education reforms, Dr. Singh described the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as a transformational initiative that has fundamentally changed the approach towards learning, higher education and research. He said the policy has replaced rigid academic pathways with greater flexibility and multidisciplinary opportunities, enabling students to pursue careers aligned with their interests, aptitude and aspirations.

He said NEP 2020 is fostering a stronger research ecosystem by encouraging students to enter research and innovation out of genuine interest and capability, which would enhance the quality of scientific research while nurturing a new generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and technology leaders.

Addressing the broader research and development landscape, the Minister said India is witnessing a structural shift from a government-centric innovation model to a collaborative ecosystem involving academia, industry, startups and private enterprises. He said scientific advancement requires the pooling of financial, technological and intellectual resources, and India is steadily creating an environment that encourages such partnerships.

Dr. Singh noted that reforms introduced in recent years have significantly strengthened India's innovation ecosystem and opened new avenues for scientific discovery, technology development and the commercialisation of research outcomes.

Looking ahead, he said Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technologies are poised to transform societies at an unprecedented pace over the coming decades. The institutions, policies and technological capabilities being built today, he said, will determine the future trajectory of nations.

Calling upon the youth to actively participate in India's scientific and technological transformation, Dr. Singh said the present generation has access to knowledge, information and learning resources on a scale never witnessed before. He urged students to harness these opportunities, cultivate scientific temper and contribute towards making India a leading knowledge and innovation-driven nation.

The Minister concluded by saying that the strong foundation laid through reforms in education, research, space, nuclear energy and emerging technologies will accelerate India's journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047 and firmly position the country among the world's leading innovation-driven economies.