India's Scientific and Technological Progress

Exam-Focused Notes on India's Scientific and Technological Advances

Vision and Agenda

• Call for Research and Innovation: PM Narendra Modi's address at the Indian Science Congress on January 3, 2019, emphasized the integration of science into the national growth narrative with the slogan “Jai jawan, Jai kisan, Jai vigyan, Jai anusandhan”.

Global Standing

• Global Innovation Index: India's rank improved from 81st (2015) to 38th (2025).
• Scientific Publications: India ranks third globally in scientific and engineering publications.

Economic Indicators

• Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD):
  • Increased from ₹79,355.89 crore (2013-14) to ₹2,44,767.81 crore (2023-24).
  • GERD now approximately 0.84% of GDP; private sector's share of GERD rose from 32.2% to 45.2%.

Institutional and Funding Initiatives

• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF): Funds research at universities and promotes collaboration among academia, industry, and government.
• Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund:
  • Amount: ₹1 lakh crore to address the "valley of death" in technology development.
  • Aims to provide patient capital to support cutting-edge innovation.

Gender Equality in Science

• STEM Participation: Notably, more girls than boys are now pursuing science and engineering.
• Initiatives:
  • Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)–KIRAN.
  • Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI).
  • Vigyan Jyoti: Creating opportunities for women in science.

Mission-mode Capabilities

• National Quantum Mission: Focus on quantum computing, communication, and materials; encourages research and startup initiatives.
• IndiaAI Mission: Aims to develop the AI ecosystem through compute, datasets, skilling, and responsible AI.
• Indian Semiconductor Mission: Approvals for 10 projects including two fabs and eight packaging units to boost indigenous semiconductor capabilities.

Biotechnology

• BioE3 Policy: Framework for bioeconomy focusing on sectors like bio-based chemicals and precision biotherapeutics.
• Bioeconomic Growth: From $10 billion in 2014, projected to reach $300 billion by 2030.

Ocean and Space Missions

• Deep Ocean Mission and Mission Mausam: Integrated approaches towards resource and climate security.
• Indian Space Policy 2023: Opens the sector to private operators, fostering over 400 startups in the space domain.

Nuclear Energy

• SHANTI Act: Provides a regulatory framework for private-sector participation in nuclear energy.

Digital Public Infrastructure

• JAM Trinity: Integration of Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhaar, and mobile connectivity, expanded through UPI, DigiLocker, Account Aggregator, and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission.

Agricultural Technology

• Use of satellites, drones, remote sensing, GIS, and AI for precision farming, yield estimation, and advisory services to farmers.

Startup Ecosystem

• Startup India (2016): Positioned entrepreneurship at the national agenda's core.
• India is now the world's third-largest startup ecosystem with over 2 lakh startups and more than 130 unicorns.
• Initiatives such as Seed Fund, Fund of Funds, and Atal Innovation Mission support startup growth.

Strategic Focus

• A commitment to ensure that the benefits of science and technology reach marginalized communities, aligned with the vision of a developed India by 2047.

This summary encapsulates key developments and initiatives underlined by substantial facts, figures, and the commitment to a scientific and technological advancement framework in India.