New Delhi: On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s emergence as the world’s largest source of affordable intellectual power and underscored the importance of leveraging the country’s demographic dividend through a focus on education, innovation, skills, and research.
During Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi, Prime Minister Modi highlighted that India is home to over 1,700 Global Capability Centres (GCCs), which collectively employ more than 2 million skilled professionals. He underscored the importance of leveraging India’s demographic advantage by prioritizing education, innovation, skills development, and research. Notably, he pointed to the positive impact of the New National Education Policy, which has resulted in the establishment of a new university every week and the opening of two colleges daily over the past decade. Additionally, he mentioned that the number of medical colleges in India has doubled in the last ten years.
Modi emphasised that the government is not only expanding the number of educational institutions but is also enhancing their quality, as evidenced by the tripling of Indian institutions in the QS World University Rankings during this time, signaling a strong focus on academic excellence.
The Prime Minister also addressed a special budget package aimed at providing skills training and internships for millions of young people. He elaborated on the PM Internship Scheme, announcing that “one crore young Indians will have the chance to gain real-world experience in major companies.” He noted the enthusiastic participation from the industry, with 111 companies registering on the first day of the scheme.
On the topic of research, Modi pointed out the significant growth in India’s research output and patent registrations over the past decade, along with the country’s ascent in the Global Innovation Index from 81st to 39th place in under ten years. He announced a new Rs One Trillion research fund to further strengthen India’s research ecosystem.
“Today, the world looks to India with great hopes for green jobs and a sustainable future,” said Modi, emphasizing the extensive opportunities that lie ahead. The third edition of the Kautilya Economic Conclave is being held from October 4th to 6th, focusing on key challenges facing the Indian economy and those of the Global South, with participation from both Indian and international scholars and policymakers.