Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh launched India’s first State Innovation Mission in Agartala on 26 February 2026. He asserted that innovation must move beyond laboratories and metropolitan corridors. Instead, he urged institutions to reach districts, villages and citizens whose aspirations shape New India.
Moreover, he described the Northeast as the new engine of national growth. He stated that Tripura’s initiative marks a decisive move towards decentralising technology. At the same time, he emphasised the need to democratise opportunity across regions.
Institutionalising Innovation at District Level
Dr Jitendra Singh explained that the State Innovation Mission will institutionalise a district level innovation ecosystem in Tripura. Furthermore, he said the mission will help commercialise local ideas and transform them into scalable startups. He called the launch a natural progression of the Atal Innovation Mission envisioned by the Prime Minister in earlier years.
Earlier, innovation missions remained unfamiliar within government systems. However, sustained efforts turned the Atal Innovation Mission into a nationwide movement. Nearly 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs now operate across India. Additionally, authorities have approved the expansion of 50,000 more labs to deepen grassroots innovation. As a result, school students in districts and small towns now engage with technology and experimentation.
The Minister stated that the Union Cabinet’s decision to extend such missions across states reflects cooperative and competitive federalism. Therefore, Tripura’s leadership sets an example for other regions. He added that national vision and state execution must work together to deliver results.
Startup Growth and MSME Expansion in Tripura
Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted Tripura’s growing entrepreneurial strength. Today, the state has more than 150 registered startups. Moreover, it has recorded an average growth of around 66 percent in startup recognitions over the past five years. Notably, many of these ventures are led by women. Consequently, Tripura has emerged as a leader in gender inclusive innovation in the Northeast.
In addition, the state has built a strong MSME base. More than 3.13 lakh MSMEs stand registered on the Udyam portal as of early 2026. This figure includes over 1.18 lakh formal Udyam registrations. It also includes nearly 2 lakh micro enterprises supported through the Udyam Assist Platform. Therefore, the new mission will give fresh momentum to local enterprise and employment generation.
Meanwhile, the Minister reflected on India’s broader startup journey. In 2014, only a few hundred startups operated nationwide. Today, more than two lakh startups function across the country. Together, they have generated over 21 lakh jobs. Nearly half of these ventures have emerged from Tier II and Tier III cities. Thus, innovation now reflects a widespread aspirational surge.
Leveraging Local Strengths for National Priorities
Dr Jitendra Singh pointed to Tripura’s bamboo and rubber resources as unique strengths. He suggested that these sectors can drive high value manufacturing. Furthermore, he noted potential applications in defence, aerospace biofuel and specialised materials. By leveraging local assets, the state can contribute to national priorities.
At the policy level, the government has removed barriers for deep tech startups. A Rs 10,000 crore Fund of Funds now supports deep tech enterprises. Additionally, authorities have relaxed sustainability conditions for CSIR backed startups. The government has also launched a Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Fund to help enterprises scale up. Consequently, these measures encourage greater risk taking and innovation.
Referring to a recent AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, the Minister stressed that technology must serve humanity. He argued that governance and enterprise will increasingly rely on digital tools. Therefore, he expressed confidence that the State Innovation Mission in Tripura will integrate artificial intelligence into state programmes. Technology, he insisted, must drive equity and inclusion by reaching the unreached.
A Collective Responsibility for India’s Innovation Decade
Dr Jitendra Singh called innovation a collective responsibility. He urged students, researchers and startup founders to participate actively. Moreover, he encouraged greater private sector involvement in emerging sectors. He noted that areas once considered closed, including nuclear energy, now invite wider collaboration.
Finally, he stated that when vision meets execution, transformation becomes inevitable. He called for sustained cooperation between the Centre and the State. He also urged partnership between science and society. Through such coordinated effort, India can turn its innovation decade into a defining century.