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Bharat Innovates 2026: Pralhad Joshi Launches Publication Chronicling India’s Deep-Tech Journey in Nice
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi launched the Bharat Innovates 2026 Commemorative Publication, detailing the first edition of the government-led deep-tech innovation program, which was held in Nice, France, between 14 to 16 June 2026. The publication captures the journey of some of the most promising Indian Deep-tech innovators. From their identification and selection in India to their market showcase in France, the publication captures the engagements, partnerships, and the results of the program.
The release of this publication is quite timely as India’s higher education and research systems are aimed more towards building a pipeline for market-ready technologies and research, not just for research.
What is Bharat Innovates 2026?
Bharat Innovates is a program of the Ministry of Education that focuses on nurturing high-potential deep-tech innovations that are born in India’s higher education, research, and start-up ecosystems. Its goal is to connect innovators to industry, investors, and other stakeholders of the ecosystem and to create opportunities for technology innovation, translation, and international market opportunities and supply chains.
The goal is to create a pathway that will allow deep-tech innovations to travel repeatedly from different campuses in India to the global innovation ecosystem.
Bharat Innovates 2026 Highlights Indian Deep Tech in Nice
The first edition of this program was held at the Palais des Expositions in Nice, France from June 14 to 16, 2026 and was part of the India-France Year of Innovation.
Prime Minister Modi and President Macron opened the event on June 14. The program engaged Indian deep-tech startups, innovators, and investors and international deep tech investors, corporations, universities, and other stakeholders of the innovation ecosystem. The program showcased an array of innovations in areas such as:
- Artificial intelligence
- Semiconductors
- Biotechnology
- Healthcare and MedTech
- Energy
- Advanced manufacturing
- Mobility
- Space technology
- Defence and dual-use technologies
- Climate technologies
These included panel discussions, sector-focused masterclasses, investor pitches, and B2B matchmaking and networking.
Newly Released Publication Records the Journey
The recently released publication shares more than just details of the program. The Ministry of Education states that this publication records the journey of Bharat Innovates from discovering and selecting deep tech innovators across India to presenting them internationally in Nice. Additionally, it captures the interactions and the engagements and the results that were driven through the initiative.
Therefore, the publication captures how India's research and innovation ecosystem was connected to the global ecosystem. It Also Outlines the Effort of Students, Researchers, Faculty Members, Startups, Higher Education Institutes, and Ecosystem Partners.
120 Deep-Tech Innovators and 45 Research Projects Celebrated
This first-of-its-kind program welcomed 120 Indian deep-tech startups and 45 deep-tech-related research projects to showcase their innovations and interact with potential investors and industry delegates to expand their international partnerships and markets.
The scale becomes more locally appreciable when compared to the results subsequent to this event. The summit concluded with more than 2000 participants representing 29 countries, including over 1350 B2B meetings and more than 50 partnership agreements.
Bharat Innovates Creates a Pathway for Campus and Market Integration
A significant agenda behind Bharat Innovates is to provide a solution to the familiar problem of research-based innovation: proving of a viable technology is not the same as launching of a successful solution. Researchers have a working prototype; however, to position a technology in the real world, there is a need for investment and market validation, operating capabilities, regulations, and customers, as well as access to global markets.
Bharat Innovates was built around this gap. The goal is to connect innovators with potential investors and corporate clients, market access, and research partners to facilitate market validation, co-development, pilot projects, partnerships, technology transfers, and international global reach.
Education Minister Highlights Global Opportunities for Young Innovators
Bharat Innovates is the publication of the Ministry’s efforts in the areas of innovation, research, and technology and how they are shaping the development journey of India. Speaking at the publication release, Joshi praised the book and said that it gave young innovators an opportunity to portray their talents to global audiences and stakeholders. The book demonstrates India's aspirations to create a new and better world that reflects the confidence of Youth India, and the strength of India's research and education systems.
This publication also helps in targeting education policy. Earlier, innovation was mainly seen as one of the many school/college activities, and one of the co-curricular or extra-curricular activities for some students; but, now, innovation is seen as a vital part of quality research and education.
NEP 2020 and the Innovation Ecosystem
Dr. Sukanta Majumdar emphasised the role the University Grants Commission plays in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat (Modern India). He indicated that the NEP 2020 emphasises creative and scientific thinking, and the placement of research and innovation at the centre; the Innovation Initiatives of the Ministry of Education (formerly MHRD) provide platforms for implementing these ideas.
This especially resonates with students and young researchers. Innovation ecosystems need institutions where learners are inspired not just to absorb knowledge but to create, and where innovation can be practised, and new solutions can be offered and tested against the problems of society.
What Happened After the Nice Showcase?
According to the final report, Bharat Innovates created engagement beyond the exhibition space. The three-day showcase recorded the following:
- Over 2,000 participants from 29 countries
- More than 1,350 B2B meetings
- Over 50 collaboration agreements
- 80+ startup pitches in front of more than 50 global investors
- Investor follow-up commitments for 40+ startups
Approx. USD 254.5 million of funding commitments and advanced-stage investments for the Bharat Innovates innovators, with investors from the US and Japan According to the PIB’s final report, several participating startups received confirmed orders and showed interest from French and other international buyers.
Final Thoughts
The release of the Bharat Innovates 2026 Commemorative Publication allows India to remember the first edition and think about the future. The Nice showcase showed that higher education institutions, researchers and startups in India can interact directly with global investors, companies and innovation ecosystems.
The focus now must be on sustaining these interactions and turning the discussions and opportunities into technologies, businesses, jobs and other global impact. For students and young researchers, that may be the most optimistic part of the Bharat Innovates story.
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