Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Tuesday, setting a clear roadmap for the country's development. In his keynote address, the Prime Minister asserted that the ambitious vision of a 'Viksit Bharat'—a developed India—must be anchored in a robust foundation of scientific research and a persistent spirit of innovation.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Modi articulated a forward-looking strategy for the nation's scientific community. He stated that India’s current objective is not merely to adopt existing advancements but to create new technologies, define their developmental trajectories, and build the national capacity to provide viable solutions for global challenges. He urged the country to embrace futuristic technologies with boldness, positioning India as a global leader capable of setting standards for the world.
The Prime Minister drew upon the recent past to illustrate the potential of indigenous capabilities, specifically citing the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that while many nations grappled with significant hurdles regarding vaccine accessibility, India demonstrated the self-confidence of the 21st century by developing its own vaccine, executing a massive domestic inoculation campaign, and extending support by supplying vaccines to other countries. This achievement, according to the Prime Minister, serves as a testament to what India can accomplish through self-reliance.
The three-day event, scheduled to run from 27 to 29 October, serves as a high-level platform bringing together leading scientists, researchers, academicians, and policymakers. It also includes participation from industry leaders, startup founders, and various international experts. The primary goal of these deliberations is to address India's science, technology, and innovation priorities while fostering collaborations that translate scientific breakthroughs into tangible, practical applications for society.
Discussions at the conclave are structured around 12 distinct thematic areas. These include critical sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced materials, manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and ocean sciences. By focusing on these specific domains, organizers aim to define national research priorities and strengthen the infrastructure required to enhance domestic technological capabilities across the board.
In addition to the policy deliberations, the event features an extensive technology and innovation exhibition designed to showcase indigenous scientific milestones. A significant highlight of this exhibition is the participation of around 150 deep-tech startups. These stalls are intended to offer a glimpse into the ongoing technological developments in India and demonstrate how these innovations can be applied across various sectors of the economy.
The emphasis on deep-tech and startup involvement underscores the government's push to integrate academia, research laboratories, and industry into a unified ecosystem. By creating a collaborative environment, the conclave seeks to streamline the transition of research from the laboratory to the market. As the event progresses, participants are expected to refine the roadmap for building national strength in critical technology, ensuring that India remains competitive and innovative on the global stage for years to come.
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