Perspective: Emerging and critical tech for India | 11 February, 2024

Summary

The special program on Sunet TV, hosted by Manish Kumar, delves into India's strategic approach towards emerging and critical technologies in the context of the 2024 budget. With the nation's ambition to become a $7 trillion economy by 2030, the discussion emphasizes the importance of advanced technology in various sectors, including quantum technologies, AI, semiconductors, clean energy, and biomanufacturing. The conversation features Dr. A. A. Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, and Dr. Aay Kumar, a former defense secretary, who share insights on the government's comprehensive plan to spur R&D and the need for increased private sector involvement. They discuss the role of the National Research Foundation in incentivizing private sector R&D, the success of the iDEX model in supporting startups, and the challenges of integrating academia, industry, and government in R&D endeavors. The speakers also highlight the significance of the government's announcement of a 1,000 crore fund to transition India from a service economy to a product nation, and the importance of improving research standards in academia to bolster the country's technological capabilities.

Takeaways

• 🚀 **Ambition for a $7 Trillion Economy**: India aims to reach a $7 trillion economy by 2030, highlighting the importance of embracing smart and advanced technology.
• 📈 **National Priorities**: The Indian government has identified Quantum Technologies, AI, semiconductors, green hydrogen economy, and biomanufacturing as key sectors for R&D and national missions.
• 💡 **Innovation Ecosystem**: India has been focusing on its strengths in software, data analytics, and AI to drive innovation, moving away from a dependency on imported technology.
• 🛰️ **Space Technology**: There is significant interest and innovation in the space sector, with advancements in launch, satellite, payload, ground station, and analysis technologies.
• 💼 **Private Sector Involvement**: To scale up R&D, the private sector needs to increase its spending, which is currently lower compared to global players like the U.S. and Korea.
• 🤝 **Public-Private Partnership (PPP)**: The government is looking to innovate with PPP models similar to those used in infrastructure development to boost private sector participation in R&D.
• 🏆 **National Research Foundation (NRF)**: The NRF has been established to incentivize and enhance private sector funding for R&D, with the government co-funding projects alongside the industry.
• 📚 **Academic and Industry Synergy**: There is a need to create harmony between academia and industry to leverage the capabilities of both sectors in R&D and innovation.
• 🌟 **Ownership and Recognition**: India needs to develop a culture of respecting and owning its own products, as seen with the successful development of the COVID-19 vaccine.
• 💎 **Global Standards**: India has the potential to create global standards, as evidenced by essential patents in telecommunications, and should celebrate and encourage its innovation and R&D culture.
• 📉 **R&D Spending**: India's R&D spending as a percentage of GDP is lower than the global average, indicating a need to increase investment to become a global technology player.

Q & A

What is the ambition of India's economy by 2030?

India aims to reach a GDP of USD 7 trillion by 2030.

What is the importance of embracing advanced technology for India's development?

Advanced technology is imperative for India to build a greater economy and is addressed under the national mission as part of various policies.

What is the role of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in India's R&D initiatives?

The DST is piloting a major national mission on Quantum Technologies, which is one of the critical and emerging sectors prioritized by the country.

What are some of the critical and emerging technology sectors that India is focusing on?

India is focusing on Quantum Technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, clean energy (particularly green hydrogen), and biomanufacturing and bioeconomy.

How is India addressing the development of defense and military technologies?

India has been dependent on imported technology but is now fostering an innovation ecosystem, with a focus on areas where the country has natural strengths, such as software, data analytics, and AI.

What is the significance of the National Research Foundation (NRF) in India's R&D landscape?

The NRF is set up to incentivize and enhance funding from the private sector for R&D support, with the government co-funding R&D projects along with the industry.

What is the current state of private sector R&D spending in India compared to the global average?

Globally, 2-3% of GDP is spent on R&D, with 70-80% of this coming from the private sector. In India, only about 30-40% of R&D spending comes from the private sector.

How does the Indian government plan to scale up R&D beyond the government realm?

The government is looking to create an environment where the private sector can increase its R&D spending, supplementing government efforts, and incentivizing entrepreneurs and startups.

What is the iDEX model, and how has it been successful in India?

The iDEX model is an initiative that provides support to startups working in deep tech areas and critical and emerging technologies. It has been successful in incentivizing private sector participation and innovation in defense technology.

What are the challenges faced by India in the area of semiconductor and chip-making?

India faces challenges such as dependence on imported semiconductors and chips, which is also a security concern. The country needs to develop its ecosystem for chip design and manufacturing to achieve self-sufficiency.

How does the Indian government plan to address the lack of high-standard research in academia?

The government recognizes the need to boost the research and R&D ecosystem in tier 2 and tier 3 universities and colleges. Initiatives like the NRF aim to fund these institutions and create a hub-and-spoke model to enhance their capacity.