Jammu, Jun 21 (PTI) Union minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said tier-2 and tier-3 cities are now producing a majority of India’s star-tup founders and UPSC toppers, reflecting a transformative role of technology and digital connectivity in democratising opportunities across the country.
Addressing an award ceremony organised here to felicitate toppers of classes 10 and 12 from various schools across the Jammu region, Singh said that a similar trend is being witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir as well.
Citing examples, the minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office said the border district of Poonch produced the 11th All-India rank holder in the Civil Services Examination, while successful agri-startups and entrepreneurs are emerging from districts such as Doda and Budgam, reflecting the growing talent and aspirations in the region.
“Out of around 2.30 lakh startups in the country, nearly 50 per cent are based in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. This reflects the growing entrepreneurial spirit beyond metropolitan centres,” he said addressing the gathering.
Singh said over 35 to 40 per cent of start-ups today are women-led, underscoring the increasing participation of women in India’s innovation-driven growth.
He observed that a similar trend is visible in the field of civil services, where many of the country’s top-performing candidates are now emerging from smaller towns and districts.
He said this marks a significant departure from the earlier pattern when metropolitan cities were traditionally regarded as the primary hubs of elite educational and professional opportunities.
Emphasizing the impact of technology, the minister said the widespread availability of digital tools and internet connectivity has created a level playing field for aspiring youth across the country.
With more than 100 crore smartphone users in India, students now have access to affordable and accessible learning resources as well as employment opportunities, regardless of their geographical location, he said.
He also noted that successful civil services examination candidates are increasingly emerging from smaller towns and districts such as Rajouri and Kishtwar, demonstrating the expanding reach of quality educational resources and competitive examination preparation.
Singh said these developments reflect a broader socio-economic transformation in the country, where talent and excellence are no longer confined to metropolitan centres but are flourishing across India’s smaller towns and districts.
Highlighting the transformational impact of the National Education Policy (NEP), the minister said the policy has empowered students by giving them the flexibility to choose subjects according to their interests and aptitude.
He also referred to initiatives such as the Vigyan Jyoti mentorship programme, which encourages young school girls to pursue careers in innovation and technology and provides them with guidance and support to realise their potential. Earlier, at another function, the minister highlighted the achievements of the Department of AYUSH in Jammu and Kashmir and said substantial progress has been made in strengthening healthcare infrastructure and expanding AYUSH services across the Union Territory.
He said that three AYUSH colleges —Ayurvedic College at Akhnoor, Unani College at Ganderbal, and Homoeopathy College at Kathua— have been established to promote quality education and healthcare in traditional systems of medicine.
Singh said 523 AYUSH dispensaries have been upgraded into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs under the National AYUSH Mission. In addition, five 50-bed and two 10-bed AYUSH hospitals are being established across Jammu and Kashmir under the mission to enhance healthcare accessibility. PTI TAS TAS KVK KVK
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.