Youth to play key role in India’s sustainability-driven growth: Dr Jitendra

New Delhi, Apr 23: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh Thursday said that “Green Jobs” and ‘Green Entrepreneurship’ are set to become the defining driver of the Green Economy of future, with sectors such as renewable energy, electric mobility, green fuels and circular economy creating large-scale employment opportunities for the youth.
The Minister said, this transition will not only generate jobs but also accelerate India’s shift towards sustainable and low-carbon growth.
Dr. Jitendra Singh was addressing the valedictory session of the National Conference on “Environmental Sustainability in the 21st Century: Science, Society and Solutions” at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, held on the occasion of Earth Day. The session was attended by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mazhar Asif, Registrar Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, Guest of Honour Prof. D.P. Singh, along with faculty members, researchers and students.
Referring to India’s growing green ecosystem, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that initiatives such as the National Green Hydrogen Mission, backed by an outlay of over Rs 19,000 crore, are laying the foundation for clean industrial transformation. He said emerging technologies are enabling decarbonisation in key sectors like steel and cement, positioning India at the forefront of global green transition.
The Minister said the pace of technological change is such that solutions envisioned today may evolve rapidly, making it essential to innovate continuously. Citing examples from the electric mobility space, he referred to cost-effective grassroots innovations where conventional vehicles are being converted into electric ones, making sustainability both affordable and scalable.
Highlighting the emergence of new employment avenues, the Minister said, the coming years will witness expansion of green jobs across solar manufacturing, battery production, grid management and biofuels. He also referred to the circular economy, including conversion of used cooking oil into biofuel, as a promising area for entrepreneurship and job creation.
Dr. Jitendra Singh also drew attention to new frontiers such as ocean energy, which remains largely untapped despite India’s vast coastline, and said it will complement solar and wind energy in the coming years.
On the energy security front, the Minister said, India is progressing towards higher nuclear power capacity with long-term targets, while also enabling greater participation of the private sector in strategic domains like space and nuclear energy to boost innovation and investment.
Referring to the Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, Dr Jitendra Singh said the initiative is aimed at supporting innovators and startups in scaling up their ideas, with a collaborative funding model between government and private stakeholders.
Emphasizing India’s global responsibility, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that with 1.4 billion people, the country has a critical role in advancing climate action. He said India is well positioned to lead the global green transition, guided by the vision of “Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)” advocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Dr Jitendra Singh also encouraged students and young researchers to actively engage with emerging opportunities in sustainability, stating that the future will be shaped by innovation, adaptability and informed choices driven by the youth.