India is set to tap about $25 billion in investment for deep technologies as it looks to bridge the gap with the United States and China in areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, robotics and bio-technology.
The planned investment comes as New Delhi is increasing government-backed funding for research and development and looking to increase private sector involvement in strategic technologies. India’s Research, Development and Innovation Fund has a total outlay of 1 lakh crore rupees over six years and includes deep tech, AI, quantum technologies, robotics, biotechnology and space. The programme is designed to fund higher technology projects and to aid the development of critical technologies, the government said.
India’s push comes amid growing concern about its position in the global technology race. China is leading in research in about 70 per cent of 13 frontier technologies, an assessment by NITI Aayog said, warning of possible intellectual-property risks and loss of market share if India delays.
The government has also earmarked 10,371.92 crore rupees for the India AI Mission and 6,003.65 crore rupees for the National Quantum Mission.
The initiative is part of a larger effort to develop domestic research capabilities and attract private investment into technologies deemed strategically important for India’s economic and national security.
