DITAA 2026: India must change its mindset to lead the next technology revolution, says Union Minister Jitendra Singh

DITAA 2026: India is no longer a country which waits for new technologies to arrive from elsewhere. Rather, it is now amongst the first countries to participate in emerging fields like quantum technology, biotechnology and space innovation, said Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, PP/DoPT, Atomic Energy and Space. Addressing the Digit India’s Top Appliance Awards 2026 (DITAA 2026), the minister spoke about India’s growing capabilities in science, startups and private-sector participation. He emphasised that technical progress is fast, but individuals also need to adapt their mindset to fully benefit from the opportunity.

India is now among the early adopters of emerging technologies

Speaking about India’s changing technology landscape, Dr Singh said the country is no longer behind developed nations when it comes to adopting advanced technologies. He specifically noted that ‘today we are among the first few countries to be in quantum technology,’ adding that India has also made significant progress in the space sector and other areas of scientific research.

He also noted that India has the talent needed to compete globally but in the past lacked the environment required to support innovation. According to him, that situation has changed, and the country now follows global standards while creating technologies that are relevant worldwide.

Technology is making education accessible

The minister further talked about how smartphones have transformed education, especially for students from smaller towns. Sharing the story of a student from a small, terror-affected town who cracked the IIT-JEE despite having no access to coaching or resources, he recalled asking her how she had managed it. In response, she took out her phone and told him, ‘Uncle, 14 hours, 8 months, IIT cracked -everything is in this,’ explaining that studying with the device for 14 hours a day over 8 months had helped her succeed.

According to Dr Jitendra Singh, technology has ‘democratised opportunities’ and made quality education more accessible, allowing students from smaller cities to compete with the best.

Biotechnology will power the next industrial revolution

While touching on the biotechnology aspect, the minister said that he expects the field to become one of the biggest drivers of economic growth in the coming years. He explained that sectors such as medical science, plant cultivation and the food industry will increasingly become biotechnology-driven.

‘The fourth industrial revolution is going to be AI-driven and biotechnology-driven. And it has already started,’ said the Union Minister.

He also highlighted the government’s Bio-E3 initiative, notably the Biotechnology for Economy, Employment and Environment. Referring to Indian startups, he said companies are already developing products such as animal-free milk that are gaining global attention.

Also read: DITAA 2026: Digit India’s Top Appliance Awards 2026 winners announced, check the complete list

Space economy is creating new opportunities

Aside from that, the minister also highlighted the rapid expansion of India’s space economy following greater participation from private companies, which was opened up to the private sector around five to six years ago.

He said the country’s space economy has already grown to nearly 9 billion US dollars and is projected to reach 40 to 45 billion US dollars within the next 8 to 9 years.

‘Within five years, one of our startups is not only sending a rocket up but has also become a unicorn,’ he said, referring to Skyroot, pointing to the growing capabilities of India’s private space sector.

Mindset change is as important as technology

Early in his address, the Union Minister said that technological progress alone will not be enough unless society also adapts to change.

‘We only need to change our mindset,’ he said, adding that India already has the talent, innovation ecosystem and scientific capabilities needed to lead future technologies if people are willing to embrace new ideas and evolving industries.