Industry-academia partnership is no longer a matter of choice, but the only option for growth: Dr. Jitendra

Jammu: Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State in the PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, said here today that in the current global scenario, industry-academia partnerships are no longer a matter of choice, but the only option for development. Calling for deeper and sustained collaboration between industry, academia, and the government, he said such partnerships are no longer optional if India wishes to establish itself as a global research and innovation hub. Speaking at the Global Summit on Industry-Academia Partnership 2025 on “Catalyzing India’s Rise as an R&D Powerhouse: Building Partnerships, Fostering Excellence,” organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here today, the Minister said India’s development ambitions in science, technology, and strategic sectors require an ecosystem based on shared responsibility and partnerships. Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the shift in the national approach to research and innovation, noting an increasing openness to collaboration with industry and greater participation of private players in strategic sectors. He also pointed to the increasing patent filings and the growing contribution of young innovators from smaller towns as signs of this shift. The Minister said that recent decisions to allow broader non-governmental participation in areas such as space and nuclear research reflect growing confidence in collaborative models. Acknowledging that such areas were traditionally reserved for the government, he said that expanding the role of private entities would be crucial to accelerating innovation-led growth. Referring to global research structures, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that India must increasingly benchmark its strategies with international institutions that rely heavily on non-governmental sources. In this context, he emphasized the importance of the government gradually assuming the role of a facilitator, enabling industry, academia, and startups to work together in priority science and technology areas. The Minister stated that initiatives like the National Research Foundation and the recently announced research funding mechanism are efforts to encourage private investment in innovation and build long-term research relationships. He stated that over time, industry is expected to emerge as a major contributor to research output and national economic growth. Dr. Jitendra Singh also spoke about the growing aspirations of youth in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, noting that access to information and digital platforms has made them active participants in India’s innovation journey. The Minister stated that domestic patent filings by young researchers and entrepreneurs reflect this change and the growing research base within the country. He further stated that institutional platforms like InSpace and similar interfaces in biotechnology help ensure that collaborations are structured, transparent, and mutually beneficial, bringing academic research closer to industrial applications. Dr Jitendra Singh released the CII Industry-Academia Partnership Compendium 2025 at the event, and later visited an exhibition showcasing products and technologies developed by startups, research institutions and academic bodies.