Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, speaking at the convocation ceremony of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Bhopal, defended India's current taxation regime. She emphasized that the government's pressing challenges and essential spending needs, particularly in research and development, prevent tax cuts. While acknowledging the desire for lower taxes, Sitharaman stressed that India's transition to renewable energy and self-reliance requires substantial resources. She urged academics to seek patents, highlighting the importance of commercializing innovations to benefit society, supported by the government's investment in scientific research.