Principal Secretary to PM Highlights India’s Startups, Unicorns, and Vision for Viksit Bharat 2047
Dr. P.K. Mishra’s Address at IIT Dhanbad Centenary
On December 6, 2025, Dr. P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India, delivered an inaugural address during the Centenary Foundation Week of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dhanbad. As a prominent figure in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Dr. Mishra emphasized India’s emergence as a global innovation powerhouse, highlighting the country’s impressive growth in the startup ecosystem.
India’s Startup Ecosystem
In his address, Dr. Mishra pointed out that India is home to over 100 unicorns and more than 200,000 startups, making it the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world. This statistic reflects the dynamic and vibrant nature of India’s entrepreneurial landscape, which has been bolstered by government initiatives and support for innovation.
Celebrating 100 Years of IIT Dhanbad
Dr. Mishra took a moment to celebrate the significant contributions of IIT Dhanbad over its century-long history. He acknowledged the institute’s pioneering role in mining education in Asia and its collaborations with major national institutions such as:
- Coal India
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
- Geological Survey of India (GSI)
- Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI)
- National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)
He expressed that a centenary is not merely a milestone but a testament to sustained commitment and the effective use of knowledge for public good. Dr. Mishra urged IIT Dhanbad to align its efforts with India’s long-term vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.
India’s Economic and Technological Trajectory
Dr. Mishra elaborated on India’s robust economic fundamentals, which have remained resilient despite global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, trade wars, climate change, and geopolitical tensions. He cited a remarkable GDP growth rate of 8.2% in the second quarter of the fiscal year 2025-26 as evidence of India’s economic strength.
He emphasized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of balancing development with cultural and environmental considerations, fostering inclusivity, innovation, and gender-led growth. The transformative role of technology in this vision was also highlighted, with specific mention of:
- ₹1 lakh crore Anusandhan National Research Fund
- IndiaAI Mission aimed at establishing global leadership in artificial intelligence
- Dedicated Deep Tech Fund of Funds
Dr. Mishra introduced the “4S” mantra—Scope, Scale, Speed, and Skill—illustrating this with examples of successful initiatives like Ayushman Bharat, Digital India, UPI, and Mission Karmayogi, which embody inclusive and citizen-centric governance.
India as a Trusted Global Partner
In his address, Dr. Mishra described India as a “Vishwa Bandhu,” or a trusted partner, particularly for nations in the Global South. He emphasized India’s achievements in frontier technologies, including:
- National Quantum Mission
- Space missions such as Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1
- Renewable energy capacity exceeding 200 GW
- National Green Hydrogen Mission
- Deep Ocean Mission
These initiatives demonstrate India’s commitment to technological advancement and sustainable development on the global stage.
IIT Dhanbad’s Strategic Role in National Priorities
Dr. Mishra urged IIT Dhanbad to leverage its modern laboratories, supercomputing clusters, seismic observatories, and incubation ecosystem to contribute to national priorities. He noted that the institute’s designation as a Centre of Excellence under the National Critical Mineral Mission reflects the national confidence in its expertise.
He stressed the importance of not only technical skills but also values such as attitude, teamwork, humility, ethics, transparency, and collective effort in achieving national goals.
Looking Ahead: Viksit Bharat 2047
Concluding his address, Dr. Mishra highlighted the alignment between institutional strengths and national goals, emphasizing that the next 25 years will be crucial for India to leverage knowledge, technology, and human capital to build a capable, equitable, and proud nation. He extended his best wishes to the faculty, students, and alumni of IIT Dhanbad for their contributions in the institute’s second century.
Conclusion
Dr. P.K. Mishra’s address at IIT Dhanbad serves as a reminder of India’s potential to emerge as a global innovation powerhouse. With a strong startup ecosystem, a commitment to technological advancement, and a vision for a developed nation by 2047, India is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of global innovation.
Note: The information presented in this article is based on the address delivered by Dr. P.K. Mishra and reflects the current state of India’s startup ecosystem and technological advancements as of December 2025.
