S&T Highlights from the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Address on 80th Independence Day
In his 80th Independence Day address, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi highlighted the expanding role of science, technology and innovation in India’s development. The address covered the progress made in digital technologies, manufacturing, semiconductors, critical minerals, energy, space, biotechnology and defence, while also outlining emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, robotics, 6G and green technologies.
The Saptadhara framework for Viksit Bharat identifies Science, Technology and Innovation as one of the key pillars of India's development. The framework places technology and innovation alongside other major development priorities, highlighting their role in strengthening India's capabilities, creating opportunities for the youth and supporting the country's transition towards a developed economy.
Digital Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing
India’s digital and innovation ecosystem has expanded considerably over the past twelve years. Internet users have increased nearly four times, patent grants have grown fourfold, and digital transactions have increased around 100 times.
Technology-led manufacturing has also expanded across several sectors. Defence production has increased nearly four times, electronics manufacturing nearly seven times, modern railway coach production 21 times, and mobile phone production 35 times. These developments reflect the growing scale of domestic manufacturing and the increasing use of technology across industrial sectors.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of quality, cost and scale in making Indian products competitive in global markets, with an emphasis on developing complete value chains covering components, design and manufacturing.
Semiconductors and Critical Minerals
Semiconductors were highlighted as a strategic technology for India's digital and industrial future. India, which previously had no major semiconductor manufacturing plant, now has three semiconductor plants that have commenced operations, with production from these facilities also entering export markets. The address indicated that additional semiconductor plants are expected over the next seven to eight years.
Critical minerals were identified as another important requirement for modern technologies. The National Critical Mineral Mission, the Critical Mineral Corridor announced in the Budget and agreements with several countries are intended to strengthen India's access to these strategic resources.
Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Technology, Robotics and 6G
Artificial intelligence, quantum technology, space, robotics and large data centres were identified as important areas shaping the next phase of technological development. The Prime Minister emphasised that India should build capabilities as an innovation hub rather than remain only a market for emerging technologies.
A target has been announced to provide AI skill training to one crore youth within one year. The address also called for wider deployment of Made-in-India 6G, with next-generation communication technology reaching across the country.
Nuclear Technology and Energy Security
The increasing electricity requirements of semiconductor facilities, AI systems and data centres make energy security an important technology and infrastructure priority. Nuclear energy was highlighted as a key component of India's long-term energy strategy, with a target of 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 and plans to commission five new nuclear reactors within this decade.
India's progress in Fast Breeder Nuclear Technology was also highlighted as a step towards greater self-reliance in nuclear fuel.
Energy diversification is being supported through renewable energy, energy storage, green mobility and other clean technologies. Solar power capacity has increased from around 2 GW in 2014 to around 160 GW today. The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has crossed 50 lakh households, enabling wider adoption of rooftop solar and providing opportunities for households to reduce electricity costs and sell surplus power.
Space, Startups and Drones
The opening of the space sector to private participation has created new opportunities for Indian startups and entrepreneurs. The Prime Minister referred to the successful launch of a Made-in-India rocket by an Indian space startup, reflecting the expanding role of private enterprises in space technology.
India now has around 2.5 lakh registered startups, while the ₹1 lakh crore research and innovation fund is expected to create further opportunities for young researchers and innovators. The National Drone Policy has also opened new avenues for technology development and entrepreneurship.
Drone technology is already being applied to development programmes. Under SVAMITVA, drone-based mapping has helped around 3.25 crore families receive property cards and has contributed to unlocking an estimated ₹140 lakh crore in economic potential through formal property records and improved access to credit.
Defence Technology and Cybersecurity
The address placed emphasis on strengthening indigenous defence capabilities and developing next-generation technologies. Areas identified for greater focus include drones, counter-drone systems, hypersonic defence technologies and cybersecurity.
India's defence production has increased nearly four times, while defence exports have grown more than 50 times. Indian defence equipment is now being exported to around 100 countries, reflecting the expansion of domestic design and manufacturing capabilities.
Biotechnology and the Bioeconomy
India's bioeconomy has expanded from around ₹60,000 crore before 2014 to nearly ₹20 lakh crore today. The growth of this sector is creating new opportunities in biotechnology-based enterprises, research, healthcare and other applications.
The bioeconomy was highlighted as an emerging area in which India's young researchers and entrepreneurs can contribute to new products, technologies and employment opportunities.
Green and Blue Economy
The transition towards a technology-driven green economy was identified as another major area of opportunity. Green hydrogen, renewable energy, energy storage, green mobility and green manufacturing were highlighted as sectors where India can build capabilities at global scale.
The Blue Economy was also identified as an area with significant potential, particularly in fisheries, coastal tourism and ocean technology. India's extensive coastline provides opportunities for technology-based development of marine resources and related industries.
Mobility and Transport Technologies
The transport sector is also witnessing technology-led changes. Annual electric vehicle sales have increased from around 1.5 lakh towards the end of the previous decade to around 25 lakh last year.
Indian Railways has moved towards near-complete electrification, while work has begun on India's first Made-in-India hydrogen train, described in the address as the world's longest and most powerful hydrogen train.
Aviation is another emerging area for indigenous technology. Alongside the growth of airports, routes and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, India is moving towards Made-in-India aircraft manufacturing. The Made-in-India C-295 defence transport aircraft has successfully completed its flight.
Technology, Skills and the Next Generation
Technology and innovation are being integrated into education and skill development. More than 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs have been established in schools to give children early exposure to technology, experimentation and innovation.
The Skill India programme, affordable digital access under Digital India and the opening of sectors such as space and drones are creating new pathways for young people. The Prime Minister also highlighted the potential of Digital Public Infrastructure, digital resources and teachers to create a nationwide network for free online coaching for various examinations.
Technology is also being used to improve public data systems. In the ongoing Census exercise, citizens can use their mobile phones to enter their information digitally, with the objective of improving the accuracy of demographic data used for planning and policy formulation.
Towards a Technology-Driven Viksit Bharat
The Prime Minister's address placed science and technology within the broader framework of Viksit Bharat. The emphasis was not limited to individual technologies but extended to building domestic capabilities across the full innovation chain, from research and skills to manufacturing, entrepreneurship and deployment.
The priorities outlined include strengthening semiconductor and critical mineral supply chains, expanding AI and advanced technology capabilities, developing indigenous space and defence systems, scaling clean energy technologies, advancing biotechnology and encouraging young people to participate in research and innovation. Together, these areas point towards a technology ecosystem aimed at greater self-reliance, global competitiveness and technology-led development.
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