NEW DELHI, October 15, 2026 – Fostering the spirit of grassroots innovation, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, felicitated 62 outstanding young innovators from schools across the country on Wednesday. The ceremony took place during the 12th National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC) under the INSPIRE-MANAK program at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
During the felicitation ceremony—organized jointly by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF)—the Minister observed a highly encouraging trend: young students are increasingly translating their creative ideas into marketable products and entrepreneurial ventures. A total of 729 students participated in the prestigious national event.
Addressing the young innovators, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the remarkable success of the INSPIRE-MANAK initiative. He revealed that 25 students have already taken their products to the commercial market, while around 250 intellectual property rights have been generated by these young minds.
“Some students are earning lakhs of rupees while still in school, demonstrating how scientific curiosity, commitment, and access to opportunities can transform ideas into practical outcomes,” the Minister stated. He praised the students for identifying everyday challenges and developing technological solutions. Showcased projects included an AI-based alcohol detection system that prevents a vehicle from starting if the driver is intoxicated, a water-saving ultrasonic washing machine, a stray dog deterrent device, and a tracking walking stick for the visually impaired.
Highlighting India’s rapidly expanding start-up ecosystem, Dr. Singh noted that the country’s start-up numbers have surged from just 350-400 in 2014 to approximately 2.5 lakh today, with nearly 60 percent originating from Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
Dr. Singh called for stronger industry partnerships and business-to-business (B2B) interactions to help these promising student innovators refine their products, respond to market requirements, and explore commercial opportunities. “Promising innovations should not remain confined to exhibitions or working models. Students with entrepreneurial potential should receive opportunities to engage with industry,” he emphasized.
The event also witnessed the release of the INSPIRE-MANAK 2026 Compendium. Key attendees included Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare (Secretary, DST), Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe (Chairperson, NIF-India), and Dr. Arvind C. Ranade (Director, NIF-India). The Minister proposed that future editions of the program include dedicated sessions for parents, ensuring they understand and support the time and effort required for their children to pursue scientific innovation.
Published by True Roots Media Network