India's science and technology sector has seen a flurry of activity, demonstrating the nation's growing prowess and commitment to innovation. Major global technology leaders have converged, policy frameworks are being strengthened, and indigenous research initiatives are gaining momentum.
Global Tech Giants Boost India's AI and Semiconductor Ambitions
In a significant development, the CEOs of Microsoft, Intel, and Cognizant met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 9, praising India's efforts in artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and semiconductor manufacturing. Microsoft announced its largest-ever investment in Asia, a substantial $17.5 billion commitment to build AI infrastructure and capabilities within the region. Intel reaffirmed its strong support for the India Semiconductor Mission, a government initiative aimed at fostering domestic chip design and manufacturing. Cognizant also outlined plans for further expansion and AI skill development, underscoring the increasing confidence of global tech companies in India's technological ecosystem.
IISF 2025 Concludes, Showcasing Vision 2047 and New R&D Fund
The India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025, held in Panchkula, Haryana, concluded with a record-breaking attendance of over 200,000 participants. The festival served as a crucial platform to showcase India's Vision 2047, emphasizing innovation, technological growth, and the evolving role of tourism in a digital future. A pivotal announcement at the IISF was the government's unveiling of a ā¹1 lakh crore Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) fund. This fund aims to support private-sector research in strategic areas such as AI, quantum computing, clean energy, and biotechnology, managed by the National Research Foundation. Haryana's Governor highlighted the state's emergence as a science and technology hub, driven by initiatives in agri-tech, climate-tech, robotics, drones, and coding labs in schools. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated India's shift towards innovation-driven growth and achieving 'Atmanirbhar Science' (self-reliant science).
India Poised for Leadership in Nano-fertiliser Technology
India is uniquely positioned to become a global leader in nano-fertiliser technology, according to S.K. Chaudhari, Director General of the Fertiliser Association of India (FAI). Speaking on December 9, he highlighted innovations like nano urea as a critical medium-term solution for India's fertiliser security. These advanced fertilisers align with sustainability goals, reduce the chemical load on soil, enhance nutrient absorption, and decrease dependency on imports, which is particularly crucial amid global supply chain disruptions.
Advancements in Quantum Computing Training
In a significant step towards building a skilled quantum workforce, QuantrolOx and C-DAC India launched the Quantum EDGE Academy with the Qniverse Platform on December 9. This strategic partnership offers a comprehensive, full-stack quantum training program that integrates the development of quantum algorithms with learning to build quantum computers using simulated superconducting hardware. This initiative is expected to bolster India's capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of quantum technology.
Gujarat Unveils Ambitious Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy
The Gujarat government is set to introduce its new Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Policy 2025-30. This policy aims to transform Gujarat into a hub for frontier technologies and strengthen indigenous capabilities across critical sectors. Key provisions include a ā¹500 crore innovation fund to support researchers, startups, and academic institutions, along with a ā¹1,500 crore corpus for achieving the state's long-term developmental goals under 'Viksit Gujarat@2047'. The policy targets the creation of 1 lakh highly skilled scientific personnel by 2030 and significant increases in R&D expenditure.
Nuclear Energy Expansion Plans
India is also making strides in expanding its nuclear energy capacity. The Government of India plans to establish ten new 700MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). Concurrently, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has initiated design and development work on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), including the 200 MW Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200) and a 55 MW SMR. These efforts are part of the Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat, which aims to achieve a nuclear power generation capacity of 100 GW by 2047, contributing to India's Net Zero target by 2070.