Union Minister launches innovation challenge focused on deeptech innovations, to personally mentor top innovators

Union Minister of Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh has launched a Nationwide Innovation Challenge ahead of the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025, calling on young Indians, especially Gen Z, to step forward with ideas that can drive the country’s next big leap in science and technology.

The announcement was made through a video message released Dr Singh said India has made a historic transformation in the past eleven years, emerging as a rising DeepTech hub with more than 6,000 deeptech startups.

To all innovators, specially Gen Z: India is listening.

Share your concept note here:https://t.co/sWBQMXEpyHpic.twitter.com/DWhCBGhPgP

— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) November 19, 2025

 He noted that the country’s bioeconomy has expanded fourteen times, investment in research and development has doubled, the space sector has opened to private participation creating an 8 billion dollar space economy, and India has launched its first National Quantum Mission that is giving rise to new quantum technology companies.

“This is not just progress. India is shaping the future. And the next breakthrough can come from you,” Dr Singh said.

The challenge has been launched in the run-up to IISF 2025, which begins on December 6 with the theme Vigyan se Samruddhi: For Aatmanirbhar Bharat. It invites entries from students, startups, researchers, farmers, creators and citizens.

Participants can submit one innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, space, biotechnology, climate tech, healthcare, agriculture, education or any other emerging field. The only requirement is that the idea should have the potential to improve the lives of at least one thousand people.

Concepts, prototypes and pilot projects will be accepted, provided they show purpose, clarity and the potential to scale. Submissions can be made through the MyGov platform.

The best ideas will be recognised at IISF 2025 and given a structured pathway to grow with support from the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and BIRAC. Dr Singh has also committed to personally highlight and mentor the top innovations.

Speaking about the spirit behind the initiative, the Minister said India is at a decisive moment with its innovation ecosystem maturing, high technology missions gaining momentum and science becoming central to national development. He said real solutions can come from classrooms, community labs, workshops, farms and remote districts, as long as the right platform is provided.