Push for tech reforms in Budget: MoS Jitendra Singh

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said on Monday that the Union Budget 2026–27 pushes technology-driven AI-integrated structural reforms to shape India’s future and lays down a forward-looking roadmap for the next quarter century.

He said that the Budget may take time to be fully appreciated, but it reflects a clear, sequential vision where structural reforms are powered by cutting-edge technologies, and cutting-edge technologies are increasingly driven by AI.

The Minister said that the Budget’s true impact lies in long-term relief from rising healthcare and living costs, rather than short-term income calculations. He said large-scale investment in biopharma, diagnostics, vaccines, and gene-based therapies would significantly reduce the financial burden on families dealing with chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and metabolic disorders.

Highlighting India’s growing health challenges, the Minister noted that the country has over 11–12 crore diabetics, nearly 14 crore pre-diabetics, and a rapidly increasing incidence of cancer, with projections touching two million cases annually by 2030. He said affordable drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics, supported by domestic biomanufacturing, would be a major social and economic support, especially for the middle class and vulnerable sections.

Referring to the Rs 10,000 crore Biopharma Shakti initiative, Singh said India has already emerged as a global bio-manufacturing hub, ranking among the top bio-economies globally and within the Indo-Pacific region. He said the new outlay will further strengthen this position by expanding capabilities in biologics, biosimilars, vaccines, medical devices, and gene-based technologies.

The Minister said the extension of customs duty exemptions on imported components for nuclear power plants till 2035 will improve project efficiency and attract credible domestic and international investment. He said this aligns with the SHAKTI Act which is aimed at expanding private sector participation in the nuclear ecosystem.

Singh also referred to the development of rare earth corridors and critical mineral initiatives, stating these will support clean energy technologies, electronics manufacturing, and strategic industries, while reducing import dependence.

Calling the National Geospatial Mission a foundational reform, the Minister said it will play a decisive role in planned urbanisation, infrastructure design, and land management, especially as India witnesses rapid rural-to-urban migration. Implemented through the PM Gati Shakti platform, the Mission will enable evidence-based planning using satellites, drones, and advanced mapping tools.

.Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Prof. Abhay Karandikar announced the creation of two mega science R&D infrastructure facilities, a 30-metre National Large Optical Telescope, and a National Large Solar Telescope near Pangong Lake, which will complement India’s space and solar missions and significantly enhance global scientific collaboration.

Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, Dr N. Kalaiselvi, said CSIR will play a central role across multiple Budget initiatives, including CCUS, semiconductors, critical minerals, rare earth magnets, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. She said CSIR laboratories have been designated as centres of excellence for critical metals and minerals, aligning national research capabilities with industrial and strategic needs.