We are modernising education system to meet the needs of 21st century: PM
New Delhi, Apr 29 (UNI) Stating that the youth hold the key to a nation's future, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday emphasized the crucial role of education in shaping their readiness for the challenges ahead and said that the government is modernising the country's education system to meet the needs of the 21st century.
Addressing the YUGM Innovation Conclave here, the Prime Minister said that the New National Education Policy which has been designed with global education standards in mind had bought significant changes to the Indian education system, an official statement said.
He highlighted the creation of AI-based and scalable digital education infrastructure platform 'One Nation, One Digital Education Infrastructure' under PM e-Vidya and DIKSHA platforms, enabling the preparation of textbooks in over 30 Indian languages and seven foreign languages.
Modi said the National Credit Framework has made it easier for students to study diverse subjects simultaneously, providing modern education and opening new career paths. He emphasised the importance of strengthening India's research ecosystem to achieve national goals, highlighting the doubling of gross expenditure on R&D from Rs 60,000 crore in 2013-14 to over Rs 1.25 lakh crore, the establishment of state-of-the-art research parks, and the creation of Research and Development Cells in nearly 6,000 higher education institutions.
He spoke on the rapid development of an innovation culture in India, citing the increase in patent filings from around 40,000 in 2014 to over 80,000, reflecting the support provided by the intellectual property ecosystem to the youth.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the establishment of Rs 50,000 crore National Research Foundation, designed to strengthen the research culture along with the One Nation, One Subscription initiative, which has made world-class research journals accessible to students in higher education. He also stressed the significance of the Prime Minister's Research Fellowship in enabling talented individuals to pursue their academic and professional goals without barriers.
Modi said that today's youth are not only excelling in Research & Development but have also become ready and disruptive, highlighting the transformative contributions of India's young generation to research across various sectors.
He cited milestones like the commissioning of the world's longest hyperloop test track, a 422-meter hyperloop developed at IIT Madras in collaboration with Indian Railways.
Stating that 'The trinity of Talent, Temperament and Technology will transform India's future', Prime Minister spoke about the initiatives such as Atal Tinkering Labs, with 10,000 labs already operational, and the announcement of 50,000 more in this year's budget to provide early exposure to children.
Underscoring the importance of meeting the goal of a developed India within the next 25 years, Modi said, 'It is crucial that the journey from idea to prototype to product is completed in the shortest time possible'.
He said that reducing the distance from lab to market will ensure faster delivery of research outcomes to the people, motivate researchers, and provides tangible incentives for their work. This accelerates the cycle of research, innovation, and value addition.
He called for a robust research ecosystem, urging academic institutions, investors, and industry to support and guide researchers.
Emphasising the need to consistently promote AI, quantum computing, advanced analytics, space tech, health tech, and synthetic biology, Modi highlighted India's leading position in AI development and adoption.
He mentioned the launch of the India-AI Mission to build world-class infrastructure, high-quality datasets, and research facilities.
The Prime Minister reiterated the commitment to the vision of "Make AI in India" and the goal to "Make AI work for India." He further noted the budgetary decision to expand IIT seat capacities and introduce Meditech courses, combining medical and technology education, in collaboration with IITs and AIIMS.
Modi appealed the timely completion of these initiatives, with a focus on positioning India among the "best in the world" in future technologies.
Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Jitendra Singh, Jayant Chaudhary, Sukanta Majumdar were present on the occasion.
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