India has been lauded as a global technology powerhouse driven by its software services and IT dominance for decades. But beyond this traditional stronghold, a silent revolution has been brewing. India’s deeptech sector—encompassing artificial intelligence, quantum computing, space technology, biotechnology, and advanced materials—is now on the cusp of large-scale commercialisation. Cutting-edge research, increased funding, a burgeoning start-up ecosystem, and a global demand for indigenous innovations fuel this transformation. Could India be the next deeptech giant? The numbers tell a compelling story.
The Catalysts of Change
Government-backed initiatives such as the National Quantum Mission, the India AI programme, and the DRDO’s deeptech collaborations have injected substantial capital into research. Private players, too, are increasing their stakes—companies like TCS, Reliance, and Tata Advanced Systems are making significant strides in quantum computing, semiconductor technology, and aerospace engineering.
India now boasts over 500 deeptech start-ups, which has tripled in the last five years. With names like Agnikul (space tech), QNu Labs (quantum cryptography), and Bugworks (biotech), these start-ups are developing globally competitive innovations, attracting investments from both domestic and international players.
Indian deeptech firms increasingly collaborate with global universities, research labs, and corporations. Partnerships with MIT, NASA, and European aerospace firms highlight India’s rising credibility in advanced research and technology development.
How India Stacks Up Against the Global Market?
While India’s deeptech sector is promising, it still lags behind the US, China, and Israel regarding R&D expenditure and patent filings. The US leads AI and quantum computing due to heavy investments from tech giants like Google and IBM. Conversely, China has a strategic, government-driven approach, rapidly scaling its semiconductor and biotech industries. Israel’s military-backed R&D model has propelled it into a deeptech leader.
However, India’s advantage lies in its cost-effective talent pool, robust software expertise, and frugal innovation mindset. The potential for affordable yet high-quality deeptech solutions gives India an edge in emerging markets, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia, where cost barriers limit Western deeptech penetration.
Can India Be Deeptech Powerhouse?
If current growth trajectories hold, India is poised to become a major deeptech player by 2030. With a growing domestic market for AI, semiconductors, and biotech solutions, and an increasing global demand for alternative tech powerhouses beyond the US and China, India’s deeptech sector is positioned for exponential growth.
The journey from research labs to real-world impact is never linear. But with the right policy frameworks, continued investments, and global integrations, India’s deeptech industry is not just on the cusp of commercialisation—it is on the verge of redefining the global technology landscape.
