Towards Viksit Bharat 2047: Role of Critical & Emerging Technologies

The Government of India has announced the celebration of "Amrit Kaal" leading up to the 100th anniversary of India’s independence in 2047. At this pivotal moment, with its large population and growing economy, India stands at a crucial juncture. Embracing both critical and emerging technologies will be essential for overcoming national challenges and meeting the government’s objectives. The Union Budget of India 2022 outlined key milestones to be achieved during the Amrit Kaal (from India at 75 to India at 100). These include fostering micro-economic growth and advancing technology-driven development programs. Achieving these milestones will guide India toward becoming a USD 30 trillion economy with world-class infrastructure, self-reliant defense and space sectors, and highly skilled youth with advance education.

The Strategic Importance of Critical and Emerging Technologies

In today’s rapidly evolving world, a nation's strength increasingly hinges on its technological prowess. Technologies with the power to profoundly shape economic growth, national security, and the well-being of its citizens are categorized as critical and emerging. These groundbreaking and disruptive technologies are vital due to their immense impact on national security, economic dominance, and social stability. This includes cutting-edge hardware, software, systems, and infrastructure. Leading nations have proactively established stringent regulations and frameworks to control these pivotal technologies. India, recognizing their strategic importance, has made them a cornerstone of its economic and national security strategies. To drive forward collaboration and innovation, India has forged powerful bilateral and plurilateral partnerships, including the Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) with the United States, the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) with the European Union, and the Trilateral Technology Dialogue (TTD) with the United States and South Korea to develop a vibrant ecosystem of critical and emerging technologies.

India’s step towards technological self-reliance

In the Union Budget for 2024-25, India has boldly allocated ₹1 lakh crore to revolutionize research and development in state-of-the-art technologies. This substantial investment reflects the government's commitment to supercharging R&D across critical and emerging domains, such as semiconductors, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and clean energy. The Indian semiconductor sector, currently valued at USD 27 billion, is overwhelmingly dependent on imports for over 90% of its needs, exposing a critical vulnerability. With projections for the market to surge to USD 100 billion by 2030, the government is spearheading aggressive, mission-driven initiatives to achieve self-sufficiency in semiconductor manufacturing. Similarly, India's defense sector, reliant on advanced foreign equipment, faces significant security risks. To address this, the Government of India has launched the Make-in-India program with a laser focus on indigenizing the research, development, and production of defense technologies, thereby strengthening national security and self-reliance.

Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

To propel research and development in the science and technology sectors, the Government of India has launched the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). This ambitious initiative is set to ignite and amplify R&D across the nation, cultivating a robust culture of innovation within universities, colleges, research institutions, and R&D labs. As the premier authority in scientific research, ANRF will provide cutting-edge strategic guidance in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) directives. The foundation is committed to forging powerful collaborations between industry, academia, government agencies, and research institutions, establishing a dynamic interface that maximizes stakeholder engagement and drives transformative advancements. A pivotal priority for the government is the skill development of youth, with a sharp focus on critical and emerging technologies. This initiative is integral to the government's vision of building a highly skilled workforce that will fuel local industrial expansion and innovation. Through various agencies of the government, a series of dynamic initiatives have been launched, receiving strong backing from both industry leaders and academic institutions. These groundbreaking programs are designed to empower young professionals with the advanced expertise required to excel in transformative fields and drive substantial growth in industrial sectors.

Overcoming challenges in advancing deep-tech

India confronts some challenges in advancing and implementing critical and emerging technologies. A primary hurdle is the substantial funding gap; despite government efforts to ramp up investment in R&D, India’s financial commitment remains significantly below global standards. Currently, the investment stands at a mere 0.7% of GDP, starkly contrasted with the 2-3% typically allocated by leading nations. Moreover, the private sector’s engagement in fostering these technologies is insufficient. Outside of the semiconductor industry, there has been scant interest from private enterprises in driving the growth of critical and emerging technology sectors. This lack of investment and involvement is a major impediment to India’s technological advancement and global competitiveness.

Driving progress in Critical and Emerging Technologies

To overcome the barriers hindering the realization of the government’s vision for critical and emerging technologies, several decisive steps can be taken. First, enacting and enforcing policies that drive both public and private sector investments in R&D, particularly in these transformative fields, will be instrumental in advancing the government’s ambitious goals. Second, significantly enhancing research infrastructure through increased public funding and robust private sector engagement will forge a powerful ecosystem conducive to groundbreaking technological development. Third, establishing a flexible and forward-thinking regulatory framework is essential. This framework must evolve rapidly in response to technological advances while upholding ethical standards and managing potential risks effectively. Furthermore, creating transparent and definitive intellectual property rights policies will provide critical certainty and incentivize substantial R&D investments. Streamlining the patenting process will also stimulate innovation and accelerate the growth of India’s critical and emerging technologies sector.

Embracing Critical and Emerging Technologies for Viksit Bharat 2047

The Vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 demands a unified, strategic effort and a forward-thinking approach to catapult India into a future of unparalleled technological prowess and prosperity. As critical and emerging technologies increasingly become central to global economic and national security strategies, India—an emerging geopolitical powerhouse and one of the top five economies worldwide—cannot afford to overlook the immense opportunities and formidable challenges they present. Embracing these technologies with urgency and precision is essential for India to solidify its global position and drive transformative progress on the world stage.