Dr. Jitendra Singh Declares 21st Century ‘India’s Century’ Driven by Biology-Led Growth

In a bold articulation of India's scientific and economic future, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, today declared that the 21st century will belong to India, powered by a rapidly expanding biology-led economy projected to reach $1 trillion by 2047.

Delivering the keynote address virtually at the International Conference on "Vision 2047: Prosperous and Great Bharat 2.0" hosted by IIT Roorkee, the Minister outlined a sweeping vision of India's transformation into a global science and innovation powerhouse, spanning domains from biotechnology and quantum computing to space exploration and deep ocean research.

From Gene to Qubit: India's Full-Spectrum Technological Leap

Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that India is steadily building full-spectrum technological capabilities, capturing the breadth of modern science—from genetic research to quantum technologies, and from ocean depths to outer space.

He noted that this transformation is being driven by:

• Progressive policy reforms

• Robust institutional frameworks

• A rapidly growing innovation ecosystem

"This is not a fragmented growth story, but a coordinated national effort to position India at the forefront of global science and technology," he said.

Bio-Economy Emerges as the Core Growth Engine

At the heart of this vision lies India's bio-economy, which has witnessed exponential growth over the past decade.

• Expanded from $10 billion in 2014 to over $165 billion today

• Growing at an annual rate of nearly 18%

• Targeted to reach $300 billion by 2030

• Long-term projection of $1 trillion by 2047

The Minister described the BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment), approved in 2024, as a transformative framework driving bio-manufacturing-led economic expansion. The policy aims to integrate biotechnology into industrial production, environmental sustainability, and employment generation at scale.

Startup Boom and Deep-Tech Investments Accelerate Innovation

India's biotechnology startup ecosystem has seen a dramatic surge, with the number of startups increasing from around 50 a decade ago to over 11,000 today—a more than 200-fold rise.

To sustain this momentum, the government has introduced major funding mechanisms:

• ₹50,000 crore Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to strengthen research ecosystems

• ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund to provide long-term, low-cost financing for deep-tech innovation

These initiatives are expected to catalyze breakthroughs across biotechnology, healthcare, agriculture, and environmental science.

Breakthrough Scientific Achievements Across Sectors

Highlighting India's recent scientific milestones, Dr. Jitendra Singh pointed to significant advances across multiple domains:

• Genome India Project mapping the country's genetic diversity

• Indigenous CAR-T cell therapy for advanced cancer treatment

• Development of mRNA vaccine platforms

• India's first indigenously developed antibiotic

• Establishment of a National Biobank for biomedical research

• Expansion of nuclear medicine facilities for affordable cancer care

• Space biotechnology experiments in collaboration with ISRO

• Progress in deep ocean exploration through missions like Samudrayaan

These developments underscore India's growing capability to translate research into real-world solutions with global relevance.

Quantum, Innovation Rankings, and Global Competitiveness

The Minister also highlighted India's strides in emerging technologies, noting that the National Quantum Mission has already achieved key milestones ahead of schedule.

India's global standing in innovation has improved significantly:

• Global Innovation Index ranking rose from 81 to 39

• Research and development expenditure has more than doubled in the past decade

This reflects a sustained national commitment to science-driven growth and technological leadership.

Vision 2047: Milestones for a Developed India

Outlining a structured roadmap toward Viksit Bharat 2047, Dr. Jitendra Singh detailed key milestones across multiple timelines:

By 2030:

• Expansion of bio-economy to $300 billion

• Strengthening biotech startup ecosystem

By 2035–2040:

• Scaling advanced research and manufacturing capabilities

• Progress in marine biotechnology and carbon-neutral technologies

By 2047:

• India among the top three global bio-economies

• Operationalisation of the Bharatiya Antariksha Station

• Leadership in sustainable and frontier technologies

He emphasized that this growth trajectory is anchored in India's civilisational ethos, blending economic progress with ethical values under the principle "Arthasya Moolam Dharmam".

A Call to the 'Amrit Generation'

Addressing students, researchers, and innovators, the Minister described them as the "Amrit Generation", urging them to lead India's next phase of scientific and technological transformation.

He called upon premier institutions like IIT Roorkee to take a leadership role in:

• Bio-manufacturing

• Advanced research

• Innovation-driven entrepreneurship

"The journey to Viksit Bharat 2047 will be shaped not just by policy, but by the energy of young scientific minds working in laboratories, startups, and institutions across the country," he said.

A Global Platform for Ideas and Collaboration

The conference, jointly organized by IIT Roorkee and Swadeshi Shodh Sansthan, brought together participants from over 100 institutions across India and abroad, reflecting the global interest in India's development model.

With themes spanning employment, economic growth, sustainability, security, and global cooperation, the event underscored the comprehensive nature of India's transformation agenda.

As India positions itself at the intersection of biotechnology, digital innovation, and sustainable development, the vision outlined by Dr. Jitendra Singh signals a decisive shift toward a knowledge-driven, innovation-led economy—one that could redefine global scientific and economic leadership in the decades ahead.