Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh Felicitates 62 Young Innovators
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, today felicitated 62 young innovators at the 12th National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC) under INSPIRE-MANAK, saying that school students are increasingly translating their ideas into marketable products and entrepreneurial ventures.
The Minister said 25 students had already taken their products to market, while around 250 intellectual property rights had been generated by young innovators. Some students, he said, were earning lakhs of rupees while still in school, demonstrating how scientific curiosity, commitment and access to opportunities can transform ideas into practical outcomes.
The felicitation ceremony was organised by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, in collaboration with the National Innovation Foundation–India (NIF), at New Delhi. A total of 729 students participated in the event. The ceremony was attended by Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology; Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Chairperson, National Innovation Foundation–India; Dr. Umesh Kumar Sharma, Head, Science and Technology Capacity Building Division, DST; and Dr. Arvind C. Ranade, Director, National Innovation Foundation–India, along with senior officials, teachers, mentors and other stakeholders. The INSPIRE-MANAK 2026 Compendium was also released on the occasion.
Interacting with the young innovators, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the students were the main attraction of the programme and that their work had demonstrated the true value of INSPIRE-MANAK. Recalling his initial scepticism about the programme’s name when it was introduced, he said the achievements of the participating students had convinced him of its significance and the high standards of innovation it was fostering.(UPDATED ON 14TH OCTOBER 2026)
