India's Tech Dominance in Modern Warfare

India’s rapid progress in indigenous technology has significantly bolstered its defence capabilities over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. 

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, speaking at the National Technology Day celebrations at Ambedkar International Centre, emphasized how technology-driven warfare has validated India’s strategic advancements in recent events.

Dr. Singh highlighted the transition from symbolic technological achievements to practical, large-scale deployments in national security. He credited Prime Minister Modi for instilling confidence in self-reliance, with most defence technologies now being indigenously developed, showcasing India’s technological sovereignty.

Reflecting on the origins of National Technology Day, Dr. Singh noted its inception in 1998 after the successful Pokhran nuclear tests. He acknowledged how this vision has matured into India becoming a global technology leader, thanks to focused efforts on indigenization since 2014.

Lauding the Technology Development Board (TDB), Dr. Singh praised initiatives like the 1000-drone show at the Beating Retreat ceremony, symbolizing India’s innovation in defence applications. He mentioned the significance of this year’s theme, "YANTRA," which emphasizes transformation through advanced research.

India’s remarkable ascent in the Global Innovation Index, rising from 81st to 39th, and the surge in domestic patent filings reflect a robust innovation ecosystem. Defence exports have grown from ₹2,000 crore to ₹16,000 crore, underlining indigenous strength.

Budget allocations for research and development have seen substantial increases, with notable growth in the DST, DBT, and space sector budgets. Dr. Singh also highlighted initiatives like 'One Nation, One Subscription' to ease research access.

Concluding, Dr. Singh launched new calls for proposals under the National Quantum Mission and presented grants for Carbon Capture pilot projects. The event underscored India’s journey towards becoming a global science and technology leader by 2047, supported by visionary leadership and nationwide collaboration.