How India’s Science and Technology Ecosystem Strengthened in 2025

Syllabus: GS3/ Science and Technology

Context

• India’s science and technology (S&T) landscape witnessed significant momentum in 2025, marked by improved global rankings, large-scale funding for research and innovation, and advances in frontier technologies.

Rising global standing in science and innovation

• India secured the 38th position in the Global Innovation Index 2025, reflecting steady progress among the world’s most innovative economies. 
• India ranked 6th globally in intellectual property filings, underlining growing innovation output, and also improved in the Network Readiness Index, rising from 79th in 2019 to 49th in 2024. 
• India also placed third globally in research publications, reinforcing its expanding academic and scientific footprint.

Major Initiatives taken by the Government

• Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme: It was approved with a total outlay of ₹1 lakh crore over six years.
  • Designed to attract private-sector participation, the scheme focuses on research in sunrise sectors such as AI, quantum technologies, clean energy, biotechnology, space and the digital economy.
• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has been established with the ANRF 2023 Act.It aims to seed, grow and promote R&D and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D laboratories.
  • ANRF will act as an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP). 

• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): Encourages startups, entrepreneurship, and innovation among students and professionals.
• Launch of National Missions such as;
  • National Quantum Mission to make India one of the leading nations in the development of Quantum Technologies & Applications (budget outlay: ₹6,003.65 crore).
  • India Semiconductor Mission (₹76,000 crore) for building up the semiconductor ecosystem in India. 
  • India AI Mission to strengthen AI capabilities (budget outlay: ₹10,372 crore).
  • National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) strengthened capabilities in robotics, AI, healthcare, cybersecurity, and mining technologies.
• Innovation, startups and inclusive science: Through initiatives like NIDHI (National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations), DST expanded startup incubation to Tier II and III cities, set up new incubators and entrepreneur-in-residence centres, and supported advanced manufacturing and medical device innovation.
• Research parks at IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, IIT Chennai, have been established which provide an interface between entrepreneurship and Industry to establish their R&D units in collaboration with students & faculty members of the IITs.

What are the Challenges?

• Funding Constraints: Despite robust government support, private sector investment in R&D in India remains limited compared to global benchmarks, constraining large-scale innovation.
• Talent Retention Challenges: The brain drain persists, as skilled researchers are often drawn abroad by better infrastructure, funding, and career advancement opportunities.
• Limited University-Industry Collaboration: Weak links between academia and industry hinder commercialization of research.
• Skilled Workforce Deficit: Shortage of trained R&D professionals in deep-tech and interdisciplinary fields.

Way Ahead

• India’s concerted efforts in strengthening its research and innovation ecosystem reflect a strategic vision to become a global leader in science and technology. 
• India must accelerate its capabilities in frontier technologies to maintain and enhance its global standing.
• Continued focus on talent retention, technology commercialization, and global partnerships will ensure that India not only addresses national challenges but also contributes significantly to global scientific progress, driving sustainable growth and technological self-reliance.

Source: DD News