India’s Advancing Position in Global Science & Technology and New R&D Initiatives – Year Ender 2025
Introduction
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) released its Year Ender 2025 summary showcasing India’s performance in global science and technology (S&T) indices, major policy initiatives, research and innovation funding mechanisms, national missions in cutting‑edge technologies, capacity building measures, and achievements of autonomous institutions. These developments reflect India’s focus on strengthening its S&T ecosystem, fostering industrial R&D, and positioning the country as a global innovation hub.
India’s Rank in Global S&T Indices
India’s performance in global innovation and digital readiness indices shows considerable improvement:
- Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025: India ranked 38th among the world’s most innovative economies.
- Intellectual Property Filings (WIPO Report 2023): Ranked 6th globally in IP filings.
- Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2024: Improved to 49th from 79th (2019), reflecting progress in ICT application and impact across 133 economies.
- Research Publications: India holds 3rd position globally, underscoring its strong research output.
Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund
To promote private sector participation in R&D, the Union Cabinet approved the RDI Scheme on 01 July 2025 with a total outlay of ₹1.0 lakh crore over six years, including ₹20,000 crore for FY 2025–26. The scheme’s objectives include:
- Encouraging scale‑up of RDI in sunrise sectors critical for economic security and strategic needs.
- Financing transformative projects at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above.
- Supporting acquisition of critical technologies.
- Facilitating the setting up of a Deep‑Tech Fund of Funds.
Targeted areas encompass energy transition, quantum computing, robotics, AI applications, biotechnology, biomanufacturing, pharma and medical devices, and the digital economy.The scheme will be operationalized via a Special Purpose Fund (SPF) under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), using a two‑tiered funding mechanism involving Alternate Investment Funds, Development Finance Institutions, NBFCs, and focused research organisations.
National Missions for Key Technologies
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
Established under the ANRF Act 2023 (effective 5 February 2024), ANRF aims to transform India’s R&D ecosystem. Its governing board, chaired by the Prime Minister, held its first meeting on 10 September 2024. Major initiatives launched include:
- Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG)
- Mission for Advancement in High‑Impact Areas – Electric Vehicle (MAHA‑EV)
Other programs under ANRF include MedTech Mission (MAHA), AI for Science & Engineering (AI‑SE), Inclusivity Research Grant (IRG), State University Research Excellence (SERB‑SURE), Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR), JC Bose Grant, Prime Minister Professorship, and fellowships supporting cutting‑edge research.
National Quantum Mission (NQM)
Approved with a funding of ₹6003.65 crore over eight years, NQM aims to promote R&D and industrial application in quantum technologies. Achievements include:
- Establishment of 4 thematic hubs at IISc Bangalore, IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, and IIT Delhi, involving 152 researchers and 17 project teams.
- Support for 8 quantum startups including QuNu Labs and QpiAI.
- Introduction of Quantum Technology degree programs with AICTE collaboration.
- Establishment of Central Fabrication Facilities at premier institutes with a ~₹720 crore investment.
- Development of world‑leading technologies such as a 500 km QKD network, a 64‑qubit quantum processor unit, and an indigenous Quantum Diamond Microscope.
National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM‑ICPS)
This mission develops technology platforms for R&D, translational research, and commercialization. In 2025:
- BharatGen (a generative AI model) was supported through IIT Bombay’s TIH.
- Four Technology Innovation Hubs were upgraded to Technology Translation Research Parks (TTRPs) at IIT Indore, IISc Bangalore, IIT Kanpur, and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.
National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)
Jointly steered by DST and MeitY, NSM aims to build High‑Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure across the country. To date, 39 petaflops of supercomputing capacity has been deployed at 37 locations, incorporating indigenously developed servers and software stacks such as the Rudra server.
Climate, Energy, and Sustainable Technology Initiatives
2025 saw the launch of several pilot projects:
- Coal gasification and methanol/DME projects.
- Bioenergy‑based effluent treatment facilities.
- Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) testbeds in the cement sector to reduce industrial carbon emissions and support sustainable growth.
International Science & Technology Collaboration
India advanced global S&T cooperation:
- Participation in mega science projects such as FAIR, CERN, SKA, and Elettra.
- Launch of the Green Hydrogen Innovations call under the Indo‑French partnership (DST‑ANR).
- 20 Indian and 20 German women scientists received the IGSTC‑WISER Grant.
- India‑Russia STI cooperation roadmap expanded to include digital technology and startup exchanges.
- DST signed an MoU with the Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Research of Mauritius for S&T collaboration.
STI Data, Policy Research & Institutional Ecosystem
The DST continued implementation of the National Science & Technology Management Information System (NSTMIS) and the Policy Research Cell (PRC) to strengthen evidence‑based policy. Major surveys covering 8,000+ institutions are underway. DST has also supported STI Policy Fellowship programmes and established Centre for Policy Research (CPR) units across academic institutions to enhance policy expertise.
Achievements from Autonomous Institutions (2025)
Key research and innovation outcomes from major DST autonomous bodies included:
- Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST): Breakthroughs in nanomedicine and sustainable nano‑technologies targeting diseases and environmental applications.
- Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA): Discoveries in solar physics, galactic evolution, and space weather.
- S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences: Quantum advantage demonstration and neuromorphic computing progress.
- Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP): Earth climate history and palaeobotany insights.
- Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR): Advances in materials, energy storage, and novel therapies.
- Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST): Innovations in venom biology, nanomedicine, and personalized nutrition.
- Bose Institute: Wearable tech for stress detection and molecular biology breakthroughs.
- Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS): Renewable energy materials and smart surface technologies.
- Raman Research Institute (RRI): Quantum physics and cosmology research.
- ARCI: Hydrogen fuel‑cell power systems for telecom backup.
- NECTAR: Aerostatic drone systems for disaster management.
- Agharkar Research Institute (ARI): Discovery of new fungal species with biotechnological relevance.
Strengthening Research Infrastructure
Under the FIST (Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure) programme, 44 departments and 22 PG colleges received support to enhance research infrastructure (₹57.0 crore allocated). PURSE support was extended to 9 universities (₹99.0 crore). Additional support under FIST, PURSE, SAIF, SUPREME, and STUTI is planned to expand research capacity across institutions.
Start‑ups and Innovation Ecosystem
The NIDHI programme expanded to Tier II/III cities, supporting new incubators and entrepreneur centres. The Dental Technology Innovation Hub (MAIDS) was inaugurated to promote indigenous medical‑dental device development and reduce import dependence.
Science for Inclusive Growth
Under the SEED division, 21 assistive technology projects were supported. Four Women Technology Parks were established in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh to promote gender inclusion through S&T solutions.
Capacity Building and Outreach
The INSPIRE Programme continued to attract youth to science, mobilizing 11.47 lakh ideas from students nationwide. A large number of students received mentorship and opportunities through international science camps and fellowship programs.The National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) expanded its outreach with “Science on Wheels” programmes, benefitting thousands of students across states, and the National Children’s Science Congress engaged young scientists in ecosystem research.
Updated - 16 Dec 2025, 6:28 PM | News Source: PIB Delhi