Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences and Minister of State in the Prime Minister Office Personnel Public Grievances Pensions Atomic Energy and Space Jitendra Singh said that modern warfare is increasingly becoming technology driven, with traditional man to man combat gradually reducing as advanced technologies assume a decisive role in strategic preparedness and national security.
Speaking during a fire chat session at the Alternate Media Conference Unstoppable Bharat 2026 held in New Delhi, Jitendra Singh said that the nature of global security challenges is changing rapidly and emerging technologies are now central to defence preparedness and national strategy. He said sectors such as space technology, nuclear energy, artificial intelligence and advanced scientific research will play a defining role in shaping India’s future security architecture as well as its development trajectory.
Highlighting India’s growing technological capabilities, Jitendra Singh said that recent reforms in the space sector have significantly accelerated innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. He noted that opening the space sector to private participation and startups has created a vibrant ecosystem that is encouraging new players, innovators and research institutions to collaborate on advanced space technologies.
He said India’s space startup ecosystem is expanding rapidly following these reforms and the country’s space economy is expected to grow substantially in the coming years. The increased participation of private industry, startups and academic institutions is creating new opportunities for technological advancement and strengthening India’s position in the global space sector.
Jitendra Singh said the government is focused on creating a strong ecosystem to nurture scientific talent from an early stage so that young innovators can contribute to the country’s technology driven growth. He emphasised that India has no shortage of scientific talent and the focus of government policy is to ensure that this talent is identified, nurtured and guided through a supportive environment that encourages research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Referring to initiatives aimed at promoting scientific education, the Minister highlighted programmes designed to encourage students at school and university levels to pursue careers in science and technology. He said initiatives such as Vigyan Jyoti are helping young students, particularly girls, to explore opportunities in scientific research and innovation and are playing an important role in promoting gender inclusion in the field of science.
Jitendra Singh also spoke about the role of the National Education Policy in strengthening India’s scientific base. He said the policy has introduced greater flexibility in education, enabling students to move across disciplines and explore emerging fields of science and technology. This flexibility, he noted, will allow students to identify their aptitude early and pursue research oriented careers in areas of national importance.
Addressing the issue of energy security in an increasingly digital world, the Minister said nuclear energy will play a crucial role in powering future technologies such as artificial intelligence systems and large scale data centres that require uninterrupted and reliable energy supply. He said nuclear power is a clean and dependable energy source and will remain an essential component of India’s long term energy strategy as the country expands its technological infrastructure.
Jitendra Singh also highlighted the expanding applications of nuclear science in the healthcare sector. He said nuclear medicine is opening new possibilities for the treatment of serious diseases including cancer and blood disorders. Increased research activity and stronger collaboration between industry and scientific institutions, he said, will help expand access to advanced medical technologies and improve healthcare outcomes in the country.
The Minister said India is entering a new phase of technology led national development in which collaboration between government institutions, private industry and the scientific community will accelerate innovation across multiple sectors. He said such partnerships will strengthen national capabilities in areas including defence technologies, healthcare research, clean energy systems and advanced scientific exploration.
Emphasising the importance of innovation driven growth, Jitendra Singh said that sustained investment in science and technology, along with reforms encouraging entrepreneurship and research collaboration, will be key to building a strong and self reliant technological ecosystem for the country.
