Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Jan 23 :Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that India is witnessing a historic democratization of opportunities, creating an ecosystem where young people today have the freedom to discover their true aptitude, choose their own paths, and convert skills into sustainable livelihoods.
Addressing the National Skill Summit 2026 of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), the Minister observed that India’s youth today are more enlightened than ever before and we must learn to listen to them, while emphasising that the role of mentors and institutions must evolve from delivering long monologues to becoming active listeners and facilitators.
The Minister said that for the first time, India has built a holistic ecosystem that allows youth not only to dream but also to realise those dreams. “Young people today have the opportunity to choose what they wish to do, understand their inner strengths, and discover what they are truly meant for. This is where mentorship becomes critical, not to impose, but to guide,” he said.
Highlighting the shift from degree-centric thinking to skill-centric growth, Dr Jitendra Singh said academic qualifications should not be confused with aptitude. Citing CSIR’s Aroma Mission, he pointed out how thousands of young people, many without formal degrees, are earning substantial incomes by cultivating lavender and other aromatic crops. “We were once obsessed with IT alone. Today, we recognise that agriculture, traditional skills, and local strengths can generate far greater impact,” he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh underlined that the past eleven years have seen an unprecedented surge in aspirations due to the democratization of opportunities. Referring to NEP 2020, he said the policy liberated students from rigid subject choices and corrected a long-standing injustice where careers were imposed rather than chosen. “Students are no longer prisoners of their subjects,” he remarked.
The Minister highlighted how this transformation is visible across sectors, from civil services to startups. “Today’s civil service toppers come from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, rural areas, and small towns that were once absent from the merit lists. Similarly, over 50 percent of India’s startups now emerge from beyond metropolitan cities,” he said, busting the myth that innovation is confined to Bengaluru, Delhi, or Hyderabad.
Emphasising women-led growth, Dr Jitendra Singh said women are increasingly leading India’s success stories, from startups to space missions. He cited examples such as Chandrayaan-3 and the Aditya mission, both led by women scientists, and noted that over 60 percent of beneficiaries under the Mudra scheme are women. “Schemes meant for youth are today being adopted even more enthusiastically by women,” he said.
The Minister also pointed to India’s rising global stature, noting improvements across innovation and patent indices. “India now ranks among the top countries in patents, with more than half filed by Indian residents who were born, educated, and trained here,” he said, adding that biotechnology is poised to become the next major industrial revolution after IT.
Calling for a change in mindset among educators and policymakers, Dr Jitendra Singh said, “Our youth are often more enlightened than us. They are born into a different era, and we must stop if we always know better. The first thing we must learn is to listen.” He cautioned against outdated teaching styles and urged institutions to create open, interactive, and responsive learning environments.
Concluding his address, the Minister said India already has immense talent; what was missing earlier was prioritisation and enabling political support. “That gap has now been bridged. The ecosystem is in place, from NEP 2020 to skill missions, research funding, and private sector participation. Now, it is our responsibility to be open, modest, and ready to learn from those we set out to teach,” he said.
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