India's science and technology landscape is buzzing with developments, marked by strategic policy initiatives, groundbreaking research, and ambitious future plans. These updates underscore the nation's drive towards self-reliance and global leadership in key technological domains.
Electronics Manufacturing Receives Strong Impetus
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) announced a robust response to the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), having received 249 applications. This scheme is designed to provide output- and employment-linked incentives, aiming to significantly boost the domestic production of electronic components, ranging from printed circuit boards to sub-assemblies for electronic goods. The overwhelming interest reflects a growing commitment from companies to expand India's electronics manufacturing capabilities, strengthening the national value chain.
AI Tool 'SARAL' to Simplify Scientific Research
In a move to enhance accessibility to scientific knowledge, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), India's newest science funding agency, has unveiled SARAL (Simplified and Automated Research Amplification and Learning). This innovative AI-powered tool is set to generate layperson summaries, videos, podcasts, posters, and presentations from intricate scientific research papers. According to ANRF CEO Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, the initiative aims to harness "deep science and engineering" to foster "deep tech products and start-ups," with plans to develop an "AI Science and Engineering Open India Stack" that will impact fields like drug discovery, aerospace design, and climate modeling.
India's Space Sector Charts Ambitious Course
India's burgeoning space program took center stage at the 76th International Aeronautical Congress (IAC 2025) in Sydney, where the nation showcased six decades of its space innovation, from Chandrayaan to Aditya L1. V. Narayanan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), reaffirmed India's ambitious target to land on the Moon by 2040. The event also highlighted strengthening collaboration in space research between Australia and India, alongside the remarkable growth of India's private space sector, now boasting around 300 space-tech startups. This sector is projected to reach a size of $47.3 billion by 2032, with new insurance schemes, like that introduced by Tata AIG, addressing third-party liability for the rising industry.
Digital Regulation and Quantum Advancements
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has released draft rules for the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, for public consultation. This Act, which prohibits online real money games, seeks to establish a framework for esports registration and regulate the digital gaming ecosystem. Simultaneously, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is developing an AI system to identify and flag risky online payments, enhancing financial security. In the realm of fundamental science, researchers at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), have made significant strides in certifying true randomness, even leveraging cloud-based quantum computers. This breakthrough holds crucial implications for advancing digital security and cryptography.