Industry-driven startup model key to unlocking Tamil Nadu’s innovation potential: Dr Jitendra Singh

CHENNAI: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh called for an industry-driven startup model and a decisive shift in mindset to accelerate innovation-led entrepreneurship, stating that government employment alone cannot remain the primary aspiration for India’s youth.

Inaugurating the Research–Industry–Startup–Entrepreneurship (RISE) Conclave 2026 at the Chennai Trade Centre, Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, said India’s innovation ecosystem has matured to a stage where opportunity is fully democratised and accessible on a mobile phone.

The two-day conclave, held on February 14–15, brought research institutions, industry leaders, academia and entrepreneurs onto a common platform to integrate laboratory research with market needs and grassroots enterprise. The event saw exchange of umbrella MoUs between CSIR and academic institutions with incubators, partnerships between CSIR laboratories and startups and industry, and virtual inauguration of a Centre of Excellence with Larsen & Toubro.

Dr Jitendra Singh said India has moved from being a late entrant to emerging as a global innovation hub and urged Tamil Nadu to leverage its academic and research strength to contribute more significantly to the country’s over two lakh registered startups.

Highlighting national achievements, he said India now showcases world-class leather innovation and export-quality products, defence sector technologies, a successful gene therapy trial for hemophilia, and novel medicinal breakthroughs. He credited CSIR-CLRI and other Chennai-based institutions for powering export-led innovation.

On startup growth, Dr Jitendra Singh said the number of recognised startups has increased from around 350 in 2014 to over two lakh, generating more than 21 lakh jobs. Nearly 69 per cent of beneficiaries under the Mudra scheme are women, and thousands of startups are women-led, he added. India’s Global Innovation Index ranking has improved from 81 to 38, while the country now ranks sixth globally in patent filings, with a majority filed by residents within India.

Stating that innovation is not confined to IT or artificial intelligence, Dr Jitendra Singh said traditional sectors such as leather, agriculture and manufacturing offer viable startup opportunities. Referring to PM Vishwakarma Yojana, he said artisans engaged in traditional vocations can access financial support, training and modern tools for technology-backed value addition. He cited leather artisans benefiting from technological inputs from CSIR-CLRI and improved market linkages.

He also highlighted initiatives including Technology Innovation Hubs, the National Quantum Mission, NIDHI programmes and a nationwide network of technology business incubators. Referring to scientific milestones such as Chandrayaan, vaccine development and a new antibiotic breakthrough, he noted that India’s first successful gene therapy trial for hemophilia was conducted through the Department of Biotechnology in collaboration with Christian Medical College, Vellore.

Dr Jitendra Singh called for stronger Centre–State synergy to unlock Tamil Nadu’s full startup potential, observing that despite its academic legacy and vibrant cities such as Chennai and Coimbatore, the State’s share in the national startup base can expand further. He also stressed involving parents and guardians in outreach efforts to sustain encouragement for young innovators.

The inaugural session was attended by N Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR; M Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences; K Ramesha, Director, CSIR-CECRI; N Anandawalli, Director, CSIR-SERC; and P Thanikavelan, Director, CSIR-CLRI.

With over 110 stalls and participation on par with major national innovation events, RISE Conclave 2026 marked a renewed push to align research, industry and entrepreneurship, positioning Chennai as a key node in India’s next phase of innovation-led growth.