Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the YUGM Conclave in the national capital on Tuesday, underscored the significant reforms implemented in India’s education sector, aligning them with global standards to prepare the nation’s youth for a rapidly evolving world.
The YUGM Conclave — an acronym meaning “confluence” in Sanskrit — is a pioneering initiative bringing together stakeholders from government, academia, industry, and the innovation ecosystem. The event marks a strategic platform for discussing and launching transformative projects in education and research.
“Our education system plays a crucial role in shaping the future of our youth. That’s why we are modernising it with a global perspective,” stated the Prime Minister. He highlighted that the National Education Policy (NEP) has been framed to meet international benchmarks, enhancing both teaching methodologies and curriculum frameworks.
PM Modi also pointed to the integration of artificial intelligence in learning through the “One Nation One Education” initiative, which aims to create a unified, tech-driven educational infrastructure.
Emphasising research as a national priority, he announced a steep rise in research and development expenditure from ₹60,000 crore in 2013–14 to ₹1.25 lakh crore. “We are not just ready for R&D; we are prepared for ‘Ready and Disruptive’ innovation,” he said.
The conclave witnessed the announcement of several initiatives, including the creation of ‘Superhubs’ at IIT Kanpur and IIT Bombay focusing on AI, biosciences, and health technologies. The Wadhwani Innovation Network (WIN) Centres will be established to foster research commercialisation, while collaboration with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) will support late-stage innovation projects.
These initiatives aim to bolster India’s ambition of becoming a self-reliant and innovation-led economy in the years ahead.
