India Trails in Critical Technology Sectors: Semiconductors, AI, Biotechnology, Space, and Quantum

A new Critical and Emerging Technologies Index includes 25 countries from five important areas of technology such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, space, and quantum. The index shows that it is well behind the leaders in this like the U.S, China, and Europe in most of such key sectors. America has a firm advantage in the U.S., specifically in AI, semiconductors and space, as China is catching up in biotechnology and quantum. India is moderately ahead of such countries as Russia and Australia but the score of 15.2 puts it below France.

Context

• With regards to key technologies such as semiconductors, AI, biotechnology, space, and quantum, India trails by a gaping margin behind the world leaders- the U.S and China. 

• This is evidenced by the Critical and Emerging Technologies Index in India which points out the weaknesses in these major sectors.

Key Developments

Overall Performance

• India ranked second last with a score of 15.2 after France, Canada and Australia.

• The U.S. is the leader in all the five sectors, China and Europe come after that.

Sector-Wise Insights

• Semiconductors (35%):

  • India is still behind Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.

  • Does not have design and manufacturing capabilities, as well as supply chains.

• Artificial Intelligence (25%):

  • U.S. leads due to R&D, skilled workforce, and private sector investment.

  • India experiences poor infrastructure and finance.

• Biotechnology (20%):

  • China makes a breakthrough in vaccinations, genetic engineering, and R & D.

  • India is promising but ought to have improved funding and innovation systems.

• Space (15%):

  • India comes 7th; Russia is in 3 rd position.

  • Delayed space budget and privatization.

• Quantum Technologies (5%):

  • China demonstrates a fast development in research and infrastructure.

  • India is not left behind on investments but lacks in implementation and global presence.

Major determinants of ranks

• Human Capital:

  • India also requires additional skilled expertise in deep-tech.

• Financing & Partnership:

  • India is trailing in the aspect of collaboration and developing with the private sector, and investment in Research and Development.

• Policy & International Influence:

  • India is not yet up to speed on all three of the above areas, which support the global leadership of tech: policy support, alliances, and innovation ecosystems.

• Strategic Gaps of India

  • Poor home ecosystem in the sectors of semiconductors and AI.

  • Under investing in biotech and quantum.

  • Provision of long term R&D finances, capacity building, and collaboration with foreign nations

Conclusion

The fact that India lags behind in the most critical technologies that include semiconductors, AI and biotechnology is becoming a big obstacle to its dream of becoming a tech superpower. The Critical and Emerging Technologies Index also underlines the necessity to promote the strategic investments, talent development, and policy change. In order to reduce the gap India has to focus on building up its technology infrastructure and enhancing international partnerships along with building domestic innovation.