India’s foodgrains production has surged from 50.8 million tons in 1950-51 to over 357 million tons in 2025. Science has played an important role in this transformation.
Science Interwoven Deeply With Our Lives
Healthcare – Vaccines, antibiotics, diagnostics (RT-PCR) have improved life expectancy from 62 in 1990 to 73 in 2025.
Communication & Connectivity – Internet, smartphones, satellites have transformed education, governance, and commerce. Eg- PM e-Vidya
Transport – Electric vehicles, GPS, high-speed transport have increased mobility. Eg- Vande Bharat
Energy Infrastructure – Renewables, smart grids etc shape modern living standards.
Daily Convenience – Refrigeration, water purification, digital payments, and sensor-based devices ease everyday life.
Disaster Management – Weather forecasting, early-warning systems save lives during cyclones and floods.
e-Governance has improved ease of access for citizens. Eg- m-Passport Seva
Striking Changes in Agriculture Triggered by Science-Based Technologies
Green Revolution HYVs increased wheat yields from 12 MT (1960s) to 55 MT (1980s).
Biotechnology & Genetics – Bt cotton reduced pesticide use by 40-60%.
Precision Farming & Sensors – Use of drones, IoT soil sensors, GIS mapping improves fertilizer and water efficiency.
Micro-Irrigation – Drip & sprinkler systems increase water-use efficiency by 40-70%.
Mechanization – Harvesters, seed drills, transplanters reduce labour cost and increase timeliness of operations.
Climate-Smart Agriculture – Drought-/flood-tolerant seeds reduce climate risk. Eg- Swarna Sub-1 rice
Post-Harvest & Storage Technologies – Cold chains, ripening chambers, packhouses reduce losses and enable access to distant markets.
Digital Agriculture – e-NAM, agritech platforms, Kisan drones improve market access and real-time advisory.
Soil & Water Management Tools – Soil health cards, nano-urea, and microbial biofertilisers improve soil fertility.
When science meets scale, when innovation becomes inclusive, when technology drives transformation, the foundation for great achievements is laid – PM Modi