The Union Ministry of Education released a commemorative publication documenting the Bharat Innovates 2026 initiative, which was held under the aegis of the India-France Year of Innovation. Union Education Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently placed innovation, research, technology, and entrepreneurship at the center of India's development journey, with Bharat Innovates reflecting this vision by providing young innovators opportunities to showcase capabilities and connect with global stakeholders.
The initiative represents a Ministry of Education program aimed at discovering and nurturing high-potential deep-tech innovations emerging from India's higher education and research ecosystem. The maiden edition brought together 120 deep-tech startups and innovators along with 45 research projects from across India, providing them with opportunities to showcase technologies, engage with industry and investors, and explore international collaborations and market opportunities at the event held in Nice, France from June 14-16, 2026.
Union Minister of State for Education Dr. Sukanta Majumdar highlighted the important role of higher education institutions in achieving the Viksit Bharat vision, noting that the National Education Policy 2020 accords priority to research, innovation, creativity, and scientific temper. The publication chronicles the journey from discovery and selection of promising deep-tech innovators to their international showcasing, capturing engagements, interactions, and outcomes emerging from the initiative.
The event was attended by Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, NITI Aayog Member Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Department of Higher Education Secretary Ms. Deepti Gaur Mukerjee, senior education ministry officials, and directors of IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, and IIT Bombay, along with representatives from Department of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Department of Defence Production, and IN-SPACe participating online.