India is witnessing a surge in its science and technology sector, marked by key announcements and groundbreaking research. On Monday, October 6, 2025, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated the Curtain Raiser of the first-ever Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation Conclave (ESTIC-2025). The conclave, themed “Imagine. Innovate. Inspire for Viksit Bharat 2047,” is scheduled to take place from November 3 to 5, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
Dr. Singh lauded the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) and various scientific ministries for conceptualizing ESTIC as India's premier integrated platform for science, technology, and innovation. He highlighted that India's journey from being the world's 11th largest economy to the 4th in just eleven years has been significantly powered by technological progress and innovation. The Minister emphasized that ESTIC-2025 is not merely a conclave but "a movement to position India as a global innovation hub," with a strong focus on emerging and frontier technologies such as semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, biotechnology, space technologies, and clean energy. These areas are deemed crucial for strengthening India's strategic autonomy and future resilience.
During the event, Dr. Singh pointed out India's growing prominence in global research and innovation metrics, noting that the country ranks sixth in patent filings and fourth in scientific publications, with a projection to overtake the United States by 2029. The conclave is designed to be inclusive, serving as a meeting ground for researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs to shape India's scientific roadmap for Viksit Bharat 2047. It will also provide a platform for young innovators, startups, and researchers to showcase their ideas and access mentorship.
In a notable scientific achievement, Nagaland University has made a significant breakthrough in quantum research. Dr. Biplab Pal, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics, has successfully recreated the complex patterns of fractals within the quantum world. This research, published in Physica Status Solidi – Rapid Research Letters, opens new possibilities for developing molecular fractal-based nanoelectronic devices, building better quantum algorithms, and harnessing the Aharonov-Bohm caging effect, which has potential applications in quantum memory and logic devices. This development signifies a growing contribution to global quantum science from institutions outside traditional technology hubs.
Further boosting the innovation ecosystem, Ericsson India Private Limited and the Foundation for Innovation & Research in Science & Technology (F.I.R.S.T) at IIT Kanpur announced the launch of the Fintech Hackathon 2026 on October 6, 2025. This hackathon, the first initiative of Ericsson's new Fintech Developer Hub, aims to empower Indian startups to create secure, scalable, and inclusive digital payment solutions. The announcement precedes the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, scheduled from October 7-9.
Looking ahead, India is also preparing for other major technological events. The ET AI Awards 2025 has opened nominations to celebrate AI innovation across startups, SMEs, and large enterprises, recognizing the transformative impact of AI in various sectors from fintech to healthcare. Additionally, the India Mobile Congress 2025 is set to begin on October 8 in Delhi, focusing on 6G technology, AI, and satellite communication, bringing together global leaders and experts.