Kartikeya Sharma proposes National Council for Future Affairs in Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha MP from Haryana, Shri Kartikeya Sharma, introduced a Private Members’ Resolution in the Upper House today, advocating for the establishment of a Council for Future Affairs (CFA)—a national-level body aimed at driving India’s leadership in emerging technologies.

The proposed Council would coordinate research, industrial development, policy strategy, and global collaboration in cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Quantum Computing, and Small Modular Nuclear Reactors. Shri Sharma emphasized that the CFA would not only prepare India for disruptive technological advancements but also position the country as a leader in shaping the future global order.

Shri Sharma’s proposal draws inspiration from the “Department of Future” recently announced by the Government of Haryana, making it the first state in India to institutionalize strategic foresight in governance. Designed to function as a think tank and coordination hub, the department focuses on sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, urban development, and sustainability. Shri Sharma commended Haryana Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini, highlighting that “under his visionary leadership, Haryana has emerged as a national model in future-oriented governance, showing how states can lead the way for national policy innovation.”

Shri Sharma lauded Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s transformative leadership, noting that the proposed CFA aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of a digitally empowered and self-reliant India. Over the past decade, PM Modi has driven key digital governance initiatives such as the Jan Dhan Yojana, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Aadhaar-enabled public delivery system, and Unified Payments Interface (UPI)—revolutionizing citizen-government interaction and promoting digital inclusion.

“The Council for Future Affairs will build upon this strong foundation laid by PM Modi and take India into the next frontier—ensuring we are not only prepared for disruptive technologies but actively shaping them in alignment with our national priorities and values,” Shri Sharma stated.

The resolution proposes the creation of Research and Product Development Councils (RPDCs), supported by budgetary allocations and global partnerships, to fast-track the transformation of research into market-ready innovations. It further suggests that the CFA report directly to the Prime Minister to facilitate seamless inter-ministerial coordination and ensure high-level execution.

The proposal has received broad support from Members of Parliament across party lines, reflecting a growing consensus on the need for institutional mechanisms to anticipate and respond to the rapid pace of technological disruption.