India Advances in Science and Technology with Major Funding Boost

In a significant development for its science and technology sector, India has made remarkable strides in 2025, driven by substantial government funding and innovative initiatives. The country has achieved a notable rise in global rankings and advancements in key technologies, including artificial intelligence and semiconductors.

Rising Global Innovation Rankings

India ascended to the 38th position out of 139 economies in the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, a substantial leap from its 81st rank in 2015. This progress reflects improvements across various sectors, with four Indian cities—Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai—ranking among the top 100 innovation clusters globally, at positions 21, 26, 46, and others, respectively.

The Indian government has taken significant steps to encourage private sector participation in research and development (R&D) through the launch of the Research, Development and Innovation Fund. Initiated in July 2025, this fund has a total outlay of Rs 1.0 Lakh crore over six years, with Rs 20,000 crore allocated specifically for the financial year 2025-26.

Innovations in Quantum Technology and AI

As part of its efforts to bolster technological capabilities, the National Quantum Mission (NQM) has established operational hubs across 43 institutions by mid-2025, focusing on developing India’s quantum technology ecosystem. The government has allocated Rs 450.99 crore for the mission in FY 2025-26, with Rs 55.44 crore already utilized by November 2025.

Another significant initiative is the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), which aims to enhance capabilities in cyber-physical systems. Noteworthy projects include “Bharat-Gen,” a generative AI platform for Indian languages, which integrates text, speech, and image processing to provide seamless AI solutions in 22 languages.

The National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) also made headlines in 2025 with the installation of 37 supercomputers boasting a total computing power of 40 Petaflops. These systems are set up in prominent institutions, including the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and several research organizations in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. More than 10,000 researchers, including over 1,700 PhD scholars, benefit from these advancements.

Furthermore, the IndiaAI Mission has a budget exceeding Rs 10,300 crore and has deployed 38,000 GPUs to enhance computing power for startups and researchers. This initiative has significantly expanded India’s AI ecosystem, establishing Centres of Excellence (CoEs) focused on areas such as education, healthcare, agriculture, urban governance, and clean energy, supported by the Union Budget for 2025-26.

India also marked a milestone in December 2025 by launching the DHRUV64 Microprocessor, the country’s first fully indigenous 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor, developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). This microprocessor is designed for applications in 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), and automotive technology. Additionally, the VIKRAM3201 microprocessor has been qualified for harsh space environments, showcasing India’s advancements in space technology.

Government initiatives such as INSPIRE, INSPIRE-MANAK, and WISE-KIRAN have positively impacted numerous school students, researchers, and women scientists, fostering a culture of innovation and learning across the nation. Moreover, India launched its first R&D roadmap for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) in December 2025, aimed at accelerating the country’s net-zero mission.

These developments highlight India’s commitment to advancing its science and technology sector, positioning itself as a global leader in innovation and research.