Union budget charts AI-driven structural reforms for India’s next 25 years: Dr Jitendra

New Delhi, Feb 2: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State for PMO, Atomic Energy, Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday said the Union Budget 2026–27 lays the foundation for a technology-driven and AI-integrated transformation of India, offering a clear and futuristic roadmap for the next quarter century.
Addressing the media during a post-Budget interaction organised by the Ministry of Science & Technology, Dr Singh said the Budget reflects a sequential and long-term vision in which structural reforms are powered by advanced technologies, with artificial intelligence increasingly acting as the central driver. He noted that while the full impact of the Budget may take time to be understood, its forward-looking nature makes it crucial for informed stakeholders, including the media, to communicate its long-term benefits to the public.
Responding to concerns over middle-class relief, the Minister said the Budget’s real value lies not in short-term income calculations but in sustained reduction of healthcare and living costs. He pointed out that large investments in biopharma, diagnostics, vaccines and gene-based therapies would significantly ease the financial burden on families battling chronic diseases. Highlighting India’s health challenges, he said the country has over 11–12 crore diabetics, nearly 14 crore pre-diabetics, and a rapidly rising cancer burden, projected to reach two million cases annually by 2030. Affordable medicines, vaccines and diagnostics backed by domestic biomanufacturing, he added, would provide major relief to the middle class and vulnerable sections.
Referring to the ₹10,000 crore Biopharma Shakti initiative, Dr Singh said India has already emerged as a leading global bio-manufacturing hub and among the top bio-economies worldwide and in the Indo-Pacific region. The new investment, he said, will further strengthen capabilities in biologics, biosimilars, vaccines, medical devices and gene-based technologies. Describing biotechnology as the next major industrial engine after IT, the Minister said the coming industrial revolution will be a bio-revolution, spanning recycling, regeneration, circular economy and advanced life-science innovations.
The Budget, he said, also addresses long-neglected areas such as non-communicable diseases and mental health. Dr Singh announced the establishment of new super-speciality academic and clinical mental health institutes in North India to ensure equitable access to care. He also highlighted plans to set up new institutes for Ayurveda and pharmaceutical education, aimed at strengthening traditional systems while integrating them with modern research and healthcare delivery.
On the energy front, the Minister said the extension of customs duty exemptions on imported components for nuclear power plants till 2035 would enhance project efficiency and attract credible domestic and foreign investment, in line with reforms to expand private sector participation in the nuclear sector.
Dr Singh also underscored initiatives on rare earth corridors and critical minerals, stating that these will support clean energy, electronics manufacturing and strategic industries while reducing import dependence. Calling the National Geospatial Mission a foundational reform, he said it will play a key role in planned urbanisation, infrastructure development and land management. Implemented through the PM Gati Shakti platform, the Mission will enable evidence-based planning using satellites, drones and advanced mapping technologies, especially amid rapid rural-to-urban migration.
Highlighting the Rs 20,000 crore allocation for Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), the Minister said it marks a major step towards industrial decarbonisation, circular economy and environmental sustainability. He also announced structured deployment of AI in agriculture to ensure farmers benefit from technology while being protected from unintended consequences.
Emphasising inclusivity, Dr Singh said the Budget includes measures directly benefiting the poorest sections, such as improved healthcare access, affordable medicines, district-level cancer care facilities, women-led entrepreneurship programmes and science-based livelihood generation.
Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Prof. Abhay Karandikar, said the Budget places strong emphasis on science, technology and innovation, with “technology” repeatedly highlighted in the Finance Minister’s speech. He announced two mega science R&D infrastructure projects—a 30-metre National Large Optical Telescope and a National Large Solar Telescope near Pangong Lake—which will strengthen India’s space and solar missions and enhance global scientific collaboration.
Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Dr Rajesh S. Gokhale, said the Biopharma Shakti programme builds on the success of the National Biopharma Mission and will accelerate the translation of research into manufacturing through stronger industry-academia partnerships, shared infrastructure, clinical trial networks and vaccine development, while also integrating biotechnology-based carbon utilisation technologies.
Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr M. Ravichandran, outlined key Blue Economy initiatives, including expansion of national waterways, coastal tourism, offshore and deep-sea fisheries and sustainable shipping. He said new policies allowing fishing beyond territorial waters and in the high seas would unlock economic opportunities while ensuring environmental responsibility.
Director General, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, Dr N. Kalaiselvi, said CSIR will play a pivotal role across several Budget initiatives, including CCUS, semiconductors, critical minerals, rare earth magnets, clean energy and advanced manufacturing. She added that CSIR laboratories have been designated as centres of excellence for critical metals and minerals, aligning national research with industrial and strategic priorities.
Concluding the interaction, Dr Jitendra Singh said the Budget reflects a mission-oriented approach where research, manufacturing and deployment move in tandem. He said science-led reforms announced after the Budget demonstrate India’s readiness to compete in technology-intensive global sectors while ensuring growth remains inclusive, sustainable and citizen-centric.