Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday released a commemorative publication documenting the maiden edition of Bharat Innovates 2026, an initiative aimed at connecting India’s young deep-tech innovators with global opportunities, industry and investment networks.
The publication was released at an event in New Delhi and chronicles the journey of Bharat Innovates, which was held in Nice, France, from June 14 to 16, 2026, as part of the India-France Year of Innovation.
Joshi said innovation, research, technology and entrepreneurship have been central to India’s development vision under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said Bharat Innovates reflects this approach by giving young innovators a platform to demonstrate their capabilities and establish connections with global stakeholders.
The minister said the initiative reflects the confidence and aspirations of India’s youth while showcasing the growing capabilities of the country’s higher education and research ecosystem. Connecting young talent with industry, opportunities and international networks, he added, can help unlock the potential of India’s innovation ecosystem.
Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar highlighted the role of higher education institutions in advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat. He said the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 places strong emphasis on research, innovation, creativity and scientific temper, while initiatives such as Bharat Innovates help translate these priorities into tangible outcomes.
120 deep-tech startups and innovators showcased
Bharat Innovates is an initiative of the Ministry of Education designed to identify and nurture high-potential deep-tech innovations emerging from India’s higher education and research institutions.
The programme seeks to build stronger links between innovators, industry, investors and other stakeholders, while accelerating the translation of technologies from research laboratories into commercial applications. It also aims to provide Indian innovators with exposure to international markets and global supply chains.
The inaugural edition brought together 120 deep-tech startups and innovators and 45 research projects from across India. Participants received opportunities to showcase their technologies, interact with industry and investors, explore international collaborations and assess potential global market opportunities.
The commemorative publication records the initiative’s journey from identifying and selecting promising deep-tech innovators across India to their international showcase in Nice. It also documents the engagements, interactions and outcomes that emerged during the programme.
Focus on laboratory-to-market transition
The Ministry said Bharat Innovates seeks to establish a seamless pathway from the laboratory to the market and from Indian campuses to global platforms.
The initiative highlights the scientific capabilities and entrepreneurial potential of students, researchers, faculty members, startups and higher education institutions. It also seeks to strengthen collaboration among academic institutions, government agencies, industry and international partners to accelerate the adoption and commercialisation of emerging technologies.
The Ministry said Bharat Innovates is intended to further strengthen India’s innovation and research ecosystem by creating greater opportunities for young innovators to connect with industry, investors and international networks and take home-grown technologies towards wider adoption.
The event was attended by Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India Ajay Kumar Sood, NITI Aayog Member Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education Deepti Gaur Mukerjee and senior officials of the Education Ministry.
Directors of IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras and IIT Bombay, along with senior academicians and representatives from the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Department of Defence Production and IN-SPACe, also participated in the programme, which was conducted in hybrid mode.
