12 years of Science in service of India

India’s science and technology initiatives over the past 12 years have shifted from lab-focused research to tangible societal impact, driven by a mission-oriented approach under Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014. The government’s vision transformed barren landscapes in Jammu and Kashmir into thriving lavender fields through the Aroma Mission, now known as the Purple Revolution, lifting thousands of farming families by introducing aromatic and medicinal crops with technological support. Precision agriculture and early warning systems now provide hyperlocal weather forecasts, helping farmers decide harvest timings and saving lives during cyclones with advanced alerts. Beyond agriculture, India has developed its first indigenous antibiotic, Nafithromycin, marking a shift from generic drug production to pharmaceutical self-reliance. Supercomputers and space economy startups further underscore the country’s technological strides, including a successful Moon mission. Rural empowerment extends to affordable housing prototypes and AI-driven food adulteration detection, addressing critical needs for underserved communities. The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems has established 25 Technology Innovation Hubs, fostering over 1,000 startups focused on precision farming, clean water access, and rural healthcare. Science has become a driver of national development, with initiatives like the expansion of saffron and asafoetida cultivation demonstrating innovation rooted in local needs. From cyber-physical systems to biotechnology, India’s science policy is reshaping daily lives, ensuring technology serves the most pressing challenges faced by ordinary citizens.