Freedom to innovate is fundamental right means more than just having creative ideas. It is the societal and institutional support that allows individuals to test, refine and implement those ideas. It encompasses access to education, research opportunities, funding, legal protections and most importantly an atmosphere that respects curiosity and unconventional thinking. It also involves the right to challenge old systems to take calculated risks and to fail without stigma…
Human progress has always been anchored in innovation from stone tools to artificial intelligence and space exploration.
- India’s civilisational ethos reflects a strong knowledge tradition with contributions by Aryabhata, Bhaskara, Pingala and institutions like Nalanda and Vikramshila in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, metallurgy, Ayurveda and linguistics.
- Despite invasions and colonial rule India’s scientific and cultural innovation endured
- showcasing resilience and continuity…
Constitutional Ethos & Freedom to Innovate
Modern freedom extends beyond political sovereignty to include the ability to create, solve and innovate. The Freedom to Innovate represents converting indigenous wisdom into global relevance. It is constitutionally anchored in our Constituion like
- Art. 14 which deal with Equality of opportunity
- Art. 21 deal with Right to life & dignity
- Art. 21A talk about Right to education
- Art. 51A(h) link with DPSP , Duty to develop scientific temper
Governmental Push for Innovation
Innovation is a key engine of economic development. Countries that encourage innovation through open policies, research investment and entrepreneurship tend to advance faster. The rise of digital technologies, green energy solutions and space exploration are all products of environments where people had the freedom to transform radical ideas into practical realities. Companies like those in the tech sector thrive because their founders were able to innovate freely often starting with limited resources but unlimited imagination
Policy & Budgetary Boost
- Union Budget (2025–26 ): ₹20,000 cr for R&D (AI, quantum, biotech, clean energy, semiconductors).
- Deep-Tech Fund of Funds (SIDBI): ₹10,000 cr.
- 10,000 PM Research Fellowships (₹70–80k/month).
- Innovation reframed as a national imperative but not a privilege.
Institutional Reforms
- ANRF (2023): it Replaces SERB with ₹50,000 cr corpus (2023–28).
- RDI Scheme (2025): ₹1 lakh cr long-term, low-interest financing for private-sector R&D.
- Regulatory Ease: Procurement autonomy, trust-based governance.
Grassroots Innovation
Innovation is not limited to science and technology. It extends to arts, education, healthcare, governance, and social reforms. For instance, new teaching methodologies can revolutionize learning while medical research innovations can save millions of lives. Social activists and reformers too embody the spirit of innovation finding new ways to achieve justice, equality and inclusion
- National Innovation Foundation (NIF): (1400+) patents , (120+) tech transfers & grassroots/student innovators (some won Padma Shri).
- Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA): Links universities with villages to design contextual tech solutions.
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
- Platforms like Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, ONDC are drivers of inclusive innovation.
- ONDC: 7 lakh+ sellers, (20 cr+ )transactions (2025) which empowers MSMEs.
- India Energy Stack (IES): UPI-like system for renewable energy & benefits farmers & DISCOMs.
Sectoral Innovation Push by GOI
- Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) provides 70 cr ABHA IDs, digital health ecosystem.
- PRIP provides ₹5000 cr for pharma & MedTech R&D.
- ICMR Action Plan (2024–29) Promotes indigenous & affordable health tech.
- Agriculture 4.0
- Drone Didi, Akashdoot, Agri-startups, Hackathons, ARYA, RKVY-RAFTAAR.
- Focus on precision farming, AI, IoT, drones.
- Deep Tech
- NM-ICPS, NQM, Atal Innovation Labs in Tier-II/III areas.
- Focus on AI, quantum, cyber-physical systems.
Global Impact & Achievements of India
- Global Innovation Index 2024: Rank 39.
- Patent filings (WIPO 2023): 6th globally.
- Network Readiness Index: 89 (2015) & 49 (2024).
- Startup Ecosystem: 1.57 lakh DPIIT-recognised startups, (100+) unicorns & 51% from Tier-II/III cities.
Civilisational Shift
- Innovation radiating from grassroots to ISRO labs “oceanic circles of change“
- Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation) + Srijan (creative expression) act as pillars.
- Driving Aatmanirbharta & vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047
- visit here
” True freedom to innovate does not mean chaos or absence of rules. It requires a balance. Governments, institutions and societies must safeguard the innovators’ right to create while ensuring ethical standards, public safety, and sustainability. Responsible innovation ensures that progress benefits humanity as a whole not just a privileged few” visit & link yourself here for more editorial page
