Union Minister of State Independent Charge for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh held an interactive meeting with a distinguished group of around 500 startup founders, eminent scientists and renowned scholars from across the country who were invited as Special Guests for the Republic Day celebrations.
The gathering brought together leading scientists from diverse and frontier domains including Space, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Earth Sciences and other emerging research areas, alongside distinguished scholars and innovators from India’s fast-growing startup ecosystem. Scientists from ISRO and several other premier national institutions formed a significant part of the group, reflecting India’s expanding global footprint in science, technology and innovation.
Addressing the participants, Dr Jitendra Singh said the invitees had been specially called to the National Capital to witness the Republic Day Parade and participate in official engagements conducted with dignity and national recognition. He informed that around 100 eminent science experts from this larger group were also invited to attend the President’s At Home reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the evening as part of the Republic Day celebrations, underlining the importance accorded to their contributions at the highest national level.
The Minister highlighted that the practice of inviting eminent scientists, academics, doctors and innovators as Special Invitees for Republic Day events was initiated over the past few years on the personal initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The objective, he said, was to honour intellectual excellence, celebrate India’s knowledge creators and give them national visibility alongside traditional ceremonial participants.
Dr Jitendra Singh noted that this convention reflects the Prime Minister’s vision of placing intellectual capital at the heart of nation-building. By extending such invitations, the government seeks to acknowledge the role of scientists, scholars and innovators in shaping India’s future and to provide them the opportunity to witness national ceremonies from a place of dignity, while also engaging directly with the country’s highest constitutional offices.
The Minister explained that every year a carefully curated and diverse group of eminent academics, scientists, medical professionals and innovators is invited to Delhi under this initiative. This, he said, reinforces the government’s sustained emphasis on recognising research, innovation and knowledge-driven contributions as critical pillars of national development.
Clarifying the scope of the engagement, Dr Jitendra Singh said that while certain sector-specific interactions, including those related to Earth Sciences, were organised during the visit, the overall initiative was broad-based and inclusive, encompassing multiple scientific disciplines and innovation domains. He emphasised that the interaction should be viewed in a comprehensive national context rather than as a sector-specific exercise.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the Minister assured the gathering of continued policy support for scientific research, innovation and capacity building. He said strengthening India’s scientific ecosystem and nurturing talent across disciplines remain central to the country’s journey towards global leadership in science and technology, as well as to achieving long-term national development goals.
