Science and Technology Development in India

Some of the recent developments in the field of science and technology in India are as follows:

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100% is permitted in the domain of Satellites-Establishment and Operations.
• Under the IndiaAI Mission, startups like Sarvam AI, Soket AI, Gnani AI, and Gan AI are building open-source models, backed by affordable GPUs, datasets, and global programmes to drive AI solutions in key sectors.
• DPIIT’s partnerships with Roche India and YourStory Media leverage India’s robust science and technology ecosystem and skilled workforce to mentor startups, scale innovations, and promote inclusive entrepreneurship.
• Under the Special Component Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub Plan (TSP), around 500 Science and Technology (S&T) projects have supported livelihoods and development of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, while 20 Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Hubs (13 for SC, 7 for ST) promote targeted S&T interventions, social enterprises, and inclusive growth.
• The Science and Technology for Upscaling of Natural Innovation for Livelihoods (SUNIL) programme boosts rural Economically Weaker Section (EWS) livelihoods through local Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) solutions, skill building, and social entrepreneurship with support from Knowledge Institutes (KIs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
• India and Japan are deepening science and technology collaboration through the Japan-India Universities Forum 2024, fostering joint research, innovation, and academic exchanges to strengthen bilateral brain circulation.
• On June 26, 2025, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) and Ohmium International have signed a MoU to co-develop green hydrogen power solutions, including hydrogen-driven microgrid prototypes, to support India’s energy needs and decarbonisation goals.
• On April 25, 2025, the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) signed MoUs with eight organisations to advance digital education, skilling, research, and innovation, strengthening India’s digital ecosystem and future-ready workforce.
• As of March 2025, India’s National Supercomputing Mission has deployed 34 indigenously built supercomputers with 35 petaflops capacity, benefiting over 10,000 researchers, 1,700 PhD scholars, and 22,000 trained individuals, while the India Semiconductor Mission strengthens domestic chip production to boost HPC and AI capabilities.
• In February 2025, India and UK have strengthened science and technology collaboration through new partnerships in next-generation telecommunications, AI, 6G innovation, and space technology, including a MoU between the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and SmartRAN Open Network Interoperability Centre (SONIC) Labs.
• India plans to launch a constellation of 52 satellites over the next five years to enhance its space-based surveillance capabilities, according to the Chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), Mr. Pawan Kumar Goenka.
• Daikin, the Japanese air-conditioning giant, has invested Rs. 500 crore (US$ 58.3 million) in a new R&D center in Neemrana, Rajasthan, to develop products for export. This facility, employing over 500 people, will be Daikin's third R&D center in India. It will focus on tailoring HVACR solutions to meet energy standards and technological advancements, enhancing synergy with the existing manufacturing plant.
• Databricks, a leading data and artificial intelligence (AI) company, announced on April 24, 2025, a strategic investment of over Rs. 2,133 crore (US$ 250 million) in India over the next three years. This investment will focus on accelerating innovation in data and AI, with a significant emphasis on training, research and development (R&D), and go-to-market activities.
• IISc researchers develop bacteria to repair bricks in space. A sample of the bacteria may now be sent to space as part of the Gaganyaan mission to study its behaviour in microgravity. With India planning future manned lunar missions, this development could play a crucial role in developing sustainable, self-repairing habitats on the moon.
• In a key milestone for India’s semiconductor ecosystem, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and ISRO have jointly developed and successfully booted an indigenous semiconductor chip-the RISC–V Controller for Space Applications (IRIS)-signaling strong domestic R&D capabilities and new opportunities in space–tech hardware.
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully tested the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) on July 3, 2025, validating all Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters and Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) engines, marking a major milestone for India’s human spaceflight mission.
• In February 2025, U.S.-based chip toolmaker Lam Research announced plans to invest over US$ 1.2 billion in Karnataka to strengthen India's semiconductor ecosystem.
• Hyundai to set up R&D investment in India under second phase growth strategy. Korean major plans to invest Rs. 32,000 crore (US$ 3.72 billion) over the next eight to 10 years.
• Taiwan's Delta Electronics is set to nearly double its Indian workforce from 3,500 to 6,500 employees over the next five years. The company has opened its largest research center in Bengaluru and plans a Rs. 4,300 crore (US$ 500 million) investment.
• NXP Semiconductors to invest more than Rs. 8,459 crore (US$ 1 billion) in India as it boosts R&D efforts.
• India is poised to establish itself as a global hub for drone technology, a development that is anticipated to significantly enhance the Indian economy. This initiative aligns with the government's Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat programs, as emphasized by Union Minister of Defence, Mr. Rajnath Singh.
• India's space ambitions include plans to establish its own space station, the "Bharatiya Antariksh Station," by 2035, along with aspirations for an Indian lunar landing by 2040. This announcement was made by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology.
• Researchers have developed a novel technology for the precise detection of the HIV genome by targeting G-Quadruplex (GQ) structures, which are unique four-stranded DNA formations. Utilizing tailored fluorogenic tests, this diagnostic platform enhances reliability and significantly reduces false positives in HIV detection, improving overall diagnostic accuracy.
• Union budget FY25 announces venture capital fund of US$ 119.5 million (Rs. 1,000 crore) will be established to expand the space economy by 5 times over the next decade.
• The Union Cabinet cleared Rs. 99,771 crore (US$ 11.65 billion) Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme to boost deep-tech research through Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) funding, with industry leaders backing the move but seeking clearer governance and fund allocation, it will bridge public and private sectors, fostering collaboration between industry and academia.
• On its 19th Foundation Day, the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), launched advanced tools including the Bharat Forecast System Extended Range Prediction (BharatFS-ERP), rainfall and air quality forecasts, seabed charts, and six Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) desalination plants in Lakshadweep, enhancing climate preparedness, agriculture, fisheries, and potable water supply, enhancing India’s climate preparedness, meteorological infrastructure, disaster forecasting, and support for farmers, fishers, and water management.
• Union Minister Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal oversaw an MoU between Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) and Kongsberg Oslo to build India’s first Polar Research Vessel, boosting research, Make in India shipbuilding, and India-Norway maritime ties.
• In May 2025, The Union Cabinet approved a sixth semiconductor unit by Hindustan Computers Limited (HCL) and Foxconn near Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, with a Rs. 3,700 crore (US$ 432.9 million) investment to boost Bharat’s semiconductor ecosystem and Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
• Toyota to launch its first R&D center in Bengaluru, aiming for hiring 3,000 engineers by 2027, boosting India-Suzuki collaboration and Urban Cruiser EV development.
• Siemens Healthineers and Philips are boosting India’s medical tech footprint, investing US$ 235 million in a Bengaluru R&D and manufacturing hub.
• Healthcare innovation in India is valued at US$ 30 billion as of March 2024 and is projected to grow to around US$ 60 billion by FY28, according to Bain & Company.
• Tata Electronics, with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC) Taiwan, will establish a US$ 11 billion (Rs. 91,000 crore) semiconductor unit in Gujarat, generating 20,000 skilled jobs. Additionally, Tata's TSAT, along with two large American conglomerates, will invest US$ 3.3 billion (Rs. 27,000 crore) in a semiconductor plant in Assam, creating 27,000 jobs. CG Power, in partnership with Renesas Electronics Corporation, Japan, and Stars Microelectronics, Thailand, will set up a semiconductor unit in Gujarat with an investment of ~US$ 915 million (Rs. 7,600 crore).
• As of March 2025, under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), 25 Technology Innovation Hubs have been established to advance AI, Robotics, IoT, and related technologies, resulting in 389 technologies commercialised, over 208,000 skill development beneficiaries, 888 start-ups, and approximately 45,000 jobs created.
• Around 8,573 researchers have been trained under Synergistic Training program Utilizing the Scientific and Technological Infrastructure (STUTI).
• The National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) and the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) have joined hands and have launched the ‘NCGG – INSA Leadership Programme in Science & Technology (LEADS). Recognizing the critical role played by the scientific leadership in driving scientific progress, this joint initiative seeks to empower them with the tools and capabilities required to effectively lead and navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of science and technology.