NITI Aayog's National Workshop Focuses on Boosting States' Innovation Aptitude & Performance

The NITI Aayog conducted a National Workshop on December 6, 2023. The event, titled ‘Improving the Innovation Aptitude and the Performance of the States and Union Territories,’ took place at the Rang Bhawan Auditorium, Akashwani Bhawan. The workshop, part of the State Support Mission series, witnessed the presence of distinguished figures such as Suman Bery, Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog; Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog; and Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.

The NITI Aayog has been at the forefront of driving initiatives aimed at assisting states in overcoming complex developmental challenges within their resource constraints. Through the 'State Support Mission' umbrella initiative, the organization actively engages with states and union territories to promote cooperative federalism, sharing best practices across various disciplines.

India's developmental journey in the last decade has witnessed remarkable strides in science and innovation. Acknowledging the pivotal role of innovation in achieving socioeconomic goals, the workshop underscored the importance of innovation as a key driver of India's growth, aligning with the national vision for 2047.

Key Highlights from the Workshop:

Panel Discussion 1: ‘Empowering Indian States: Unleashing Innovation Potential for Viksit Bharat @2047’ The discussion emphasized the need for a persuasive approach and coordinated efforts from all states to unlock India's innovation potential.

Panel Discussion 2: ‘Innovative States: Showcasing Transformative Journeys’ Focused on how innovation can catalyze economic growth, enhance quality of life, stimulate job creation, and improve international trade.

Panel Discussion 3: ‘Collaborative Innovation: States Partnering for Collective Growth’ Highlighted the necessity of collaboration across stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem, with a special emphasis on inter-state collaborative innovation to address shared challenges.

Panel Discussion 4: ‘Lessons Learned and Replicating Innovation Success Stories’ Explored key lessons learned in creating an innovation ecosystem, along with challenges and solutions in replicating successful models.

Panel Discussion 5: ‘Sharing of States' Best Practices’ Showcased the best practices of leading states and UTs in innovation, along with the modalities for successful implementation.

During the workshop, Suman Bery, Vice-Chairman, NITI Aayog, outlined the government's prioritization of innovation through initiatives like the 'Decade of Innovation.' Various schemes, including iDEX and AGNIi, contribute to India's economic growth, as reflected in the nation's rise to the 40th rank in the 2023 Global Innovation Index.

Dr. V K Saraswat, Member (S&T), NITI Aayog, emphasized the importance of consultative studies to address research and development challenges in non-IIT/NIT universities. Initiatives like the TCRM Matrix framework and Samavay R&D Dashboard aim to foster innovation at project scale, addressing infrastructural issues and promoting a culture of innovation.

The workshop concluded with a valedictory session featuring esteemed dignitaries, including Dr. V K Saraswat, Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Dr. Rajiv Bahl, and Dr. Sachin Chaturvedi, highlighting the commitment to advancing innovation at the state level for the holistic development of the nation.