Progress is neither linear nor predictable, nor does it conform to the visions of those entrusted with governing nations. Innovation flourishes in the interstices of economic incentives and intellectual curiosity. Nations prosper when their top minds innovate. India’s innovation journey is marked by immense potential rather than realised performance. While it excels in entrepreneurship and frugal, grassroots innovation, it lags in R&D intensity, institutional support, and global scientific leadership. For India to become a true innovation leader, it must radically reimagine how it identifies and nurtures talent, builds interdisciplinary collaboration hubs, strengthens IP enforcement, and supports moonshot thinking alongside incremental progress.
