Leadership in cutting-edge technologies is increasingly the most important driver of economic competitiveness, military strength, and global influence. Artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, space systems, advanced materials, biotechnology, and next-generation communications are reshaping power balances worldwide and India must secure a leading role in this transition to preserve strategic autonomy and accelerate national development. The Critical & Emerging Tech Program examines how India can convert its demographic scale, scientific talent, digital public infrastructure, and industrial capabilities into decisive advantages across critical and emerging technology domains.

The Critical & Emerging Tech Program integrates science policy, geotechnology, national security studies, and innovation economics to design implementation-ready roadmaps for India’s technology future. Our research prioritises semiconductor fabrication and design, sovereign and responsible AI, quantum and space-based systems, biotechnology and genomics, cyber and ICT infrastructure, and resilient supply chains for critical minerals and strategic hardware. We evaluate R&D incentives, innovation financing, regulatory frameworks, IP systems, talent pipelines, and international technology partnerships. We seek to develop detailed policy blueprints to build a technology-sovereign, innovation-powered, and future-leading Bharat capable of helping shape the global technological order.