View: PM Modi pushes for innovation and R&D in India’s high-tech horizon

By Admin

15 Sep, 2025

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi enters his 75th year, his legacy shines through as a remarkable blend of cultural pride and futuristic ambition. His dream of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 rests on two strong pillars   honoring India’s heritage and powering its future with innovation. Over the last decade, PM Modi has consistently placed Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) at the heart of India’s transformation, steering the nation from being a technology consumer to a global leader in high-tech disruption.

RDI Scheme: Unlocking India’s High-Tech Potential

The Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, approved in July 2025, is a watershed moment in India’s growth story. Backed by a ₹1 lakh crore fund, it places private sector-led innovation at the core of progress. Unlike earlier programs that diluted resources across early-stage projects, this scheme emphasizes real-world applications. From advanced manufacturing and green energy to defence technology, it encourages disruptive solutions. A dedicated Deep-Tech Fund of Funds underlines India’s intent to dominate in frontier fields like semiconductors, robotics, and green hydrogen.

Vigyan Dhara: Streamlining Research Ecosystem

To consolidate efforts, the government launched Vigyan Dhara with an outlay of ₹10,579.84 crore. This initiative merges three major R&D umbrella schemes, focusing on research capacity, human talent, and infrastructure. With the budget rising from ₹330.75 crore in FY 2024–25 to ₹1,425.00 crore in FY 2025–26, more than 57,000 beneficiaries have already gained support, strengthening India’s foundation for a robust scientific future.

ANRF: A Knowledge-Driven Economy

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), operational since July 2024, is central to India’s plan to build a knowledge economy. With a target corpus of ₹50,000 crore (2023–28), ANRF is channeling funds into under-resourced universities and colleges. Initiatives like the PAIR Network (7 hubs and 45 spokes) are helping Indian institutions match global peers in research quality.

AI Revolution: Affordable Innovation for All

One of the most significant breakthroughs is India’s AI ecosystem, made affordable under PM Modi’s leadership. The IndiaAI compute portal offers access to 34,333 GPUs at ₹67 per hour, compared to global rates of $2.5–$3. This not only democratizes AI research but also fosters inclusive innovation with Data & AI Labs in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. By ensuring affordable compute power, India is enabling startups, academicians, and researchers to build foundational AI models.

Quantum Leap: National Quantum Mission

With the National Quantum Mission (NQM), India is positioning itself as a future-ready nation. Targeting the development of 50–1000 qubit quantum computers and quantum key distribution networks, NQM promises breakthroughs in communication security, sensing, and advanced computing   fields that will define the next wave of global disruption.

Supercomputing & Green Energy Leadership

The National Supercomputing Mission has already deployed 34 supercomputers with 35 Petaflops capacity, enabling researchers across India to publish over 1,500 papers in leading journals. Similarly, the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), with a ₹400 crore R&D scheme, is laying the groundwork for India to emerge as a global hub for green hydrogen production and exports.

Building a Culture of Research & Patents

Gross expenditure on R&D has more than doubled to ₹1.25 lakh crore since 2013–14. India has expanded research parks, supported nearly 6,000 R&D cells, and doubled patent filings to 80,000+ annually. The One Nation, One Subscription policy has also democratized access to global journals for 1.8 crore students and researchers across 6,300 institutions.

Breakthroughs in Defence & Drones

PM Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision extends to defence R&D. With a ₹6.81 lakh crore defence budget in FY 2025–26, India is investing in indigenous platforms like LCA Tejas, ATAGS artillery, and Prachand helicopters. The drone sector has been revolutionized, with start-ups building both civilian and defence-grade drones. Initiatives like NaMo Drone Didi are empowering rural women to become drone pilots, bringing technology to the grassroots.

Digital Creativity & Gaming Boom

Under Modi’s watch, India is fast becoming a global hub for gaming, graphics, and extended reality (AVGC-XR). With 442 million gamers, India is now the second-largest gaming market in the world. The establishment of the National Centre of Excellence for AVGC-XR in Mumbai signals the country’s rise as a post-production powerhouse, competing with global entertainment giants.

Conclusion: Science, Sovereignty, and Self-Reliance

PM Modi’s innovation-driven vision has positioned India on the cusp of a new industrial revolution. From AI and quantum computing to defence R&D and gaming, his policies are future-proofing India’s growth. The ultimate goal remains clear   to build a self-reliant, technologically sovereign India that leads in science, industry, and culture, realizing the dream of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.