In a series of significant developments, India's science and technology sector continues to push boundaries across various domains. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is making substantial headway with its Gaganyaan mission, India's ambitious human spaceflight program. The assembly and integration of its maiden uncrewed mission are nearing completion, marking a crucial step towards India's first crewed spaceflight, which is targeted for 2027-28. The program also aims to lay the groundwork for a Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035, showcasing India's growing self-reliance in human space exploration.
Quantum technology is emerging as another key focus area, with the state of Andhra Pradesh announcing plans to establish a "Quantum Valley" in Amaravati. This initiative aims to create a quantum computing hub to position the state as a leading center for quantum technology research and development in India. Furthermore, under the National Quantum Mission (NQM), India is actively prioritizing the development of superconducting qubit chips and related technologies, fostering collaboration between academic institutions and startups.
In indigenous innovation, India has achieved a landmark with the unveiling of DHRUV64, the country's first fully indigenous 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor. Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), this achievement significantly strengthens India's self-reliance in chip ecosystems.
The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare is also gaining momentum, with India launching its first AI-driven community screening program for diabetic retinopathy (DR). This initiative, a collaboration between the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and the Dr. Raje Institute, aims to curb rising cases of vision loss due to diabetes.
Despite a global decline in funding, India's tech startup ecosystem demonstrated resilience, raising $10.5 billion in 2025. This performance secured India the third position globally in terms of funding, trailing only the US and the UK, and surpassing China and Germany. Bengaluru and Mumbai continued to lead as the top-funded cities, while early-stage funding saw an increase, even as late-stage funding experienced a decline.
Additionally, ISRO has released its "RESPOND Basket 2025," a strategic initiative outlining important research problems for collaboration with academic institutions, further strengthening the synergy between ISRO and the academic community.