THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, APRIL 23, 2026

The green economy is poised to unlock vast opportunities in ‘green jobs’ and ‘green entrepreneurship’, with India’s youth expected to play a pivotal role in driving the country’s sustainability-led growth, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh said on Thursday.

Addressing the valedictory session of the National Conference on “Environmental Sustainability in the 21st Century: Science, Society and Solutions” at Jamia Millia Islamia on the occasion of Earth Day, the Minister highlighted that sectors such as renewable energy, electric mobility, green fuels and the circular economy are emerging as major employment generators.

“Green jobs and green entrepreneurship will become defining drivers of the future economy,” Dr. Singh said, noting that the transition would not only create employment but also accelerate India’s shift towards sustainable and low-carbon growth.

Underscoring India’s expanding green ecosystem, he pointed to flagship initiatives like the National Green Hydrogen Mission, backed by an outlay of over ₹19,000 crore, as a cornerstone for clean industrial transformation. He added that emerging technologies are enabling decarbonisation in core sectors such as steel and cement, positioning India as a key player in the global green transition.

At the same time, the Minister cautioned that the rapid pace of technological change demands continuous innovation, as solutions conceived today may evolve quickly. He cited grassroots innovations in electric mobility, including cost-effective conversion of conventional vehicles into electric ones, as examples of scalable and inclusive sustainability.

Highlighting future employment avenues, Dr. Singh said green jobs are set to expand across solar manufacturing, battery production, grid management and biofuels. He also identified the circular economy — such as converting used cooking oil into biofuel — as a promising domain for entrepreneurship and job creation.

Looking ahead, he drew attention to emerging sectors like ocean energy, which remains largely untapped despite India’s long coastline, and said it would complement solar and wind power in the years to come.

On energy security, Dr. Singh noted that India is advancing towards higher nuclear power capacity while opening up strategic sectors like space and nuclear energy to greater private participation to spur innovation and investment.

He also referred to the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund aimed at supporting startups and innovators through a collaborative public-private funding model.

Emphasising India’s global responsibility in climate action, the Minister said the country, with its population of 1.4 billion, is uniquely positioned to lead the green transition, guided by the “Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)” vision championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Encouraging students and young researchers to actively engage with sustainability challenges, Dr. Singh said the future would be shaped by innovation, adaptability and informed choices, with youth at the forefront of building a greener and more resilient India.