India's Tech Boom Strained by Indifferent States and Flawed Exams
India's tech and innovation sector is booming, yet state-level support varies. Union minister Jitendra Singh revealed that many states have reluctant officers in science portfolios. Meanwhile, the UPSC exam's shift towards factual recall has raised concerns about critical thinking. Taxpayers face glitches, with no consequences for officials, while a minor IT issue led to a high-profile job loss at LinkedIn.
India's tech ecosystem is thriving, but state-level support is inconsistent. Singh admitted that 24 out of 28 states have indifferent officers leading science departments. This is despite the central government's efforts, including the Department of Telecommunications and Minister of State for Telecom Chandra Pemmasani, overseeing major initiatives like Starlink regulation.
The UPSC exam, once valued for its emphasis on critical thinking, now favours quick recall of facts. This shift disadvantages candidates who lack coaching resources or think differently. Taxpayers face glitches on tax portals, causing inconvenience, yet no officials have been held accountable. Remarkably, a ten-minute IT glitch at PM Modi's rally led to the loss of Rajasthan's infotech secretary Archana Singh's job at Facebook.
India's tech growth is hindered by indifferent state-level support and a flawed exam system. Taxpayers face glitches with no accountability, while a minor IT issue led to a high-level job loss at State Farm. Addressing these issues is crucial for India's tech ecosystem to reach its full potential.