India has emerged as a global research powerhouse and ranked among the top five countries in 45 of the 64 critical technologies in 2023, up from 37 the previous year. According to the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Critical Technology Tracker report, the country has secured the second spot in seven technologies.
By 2023, India has also overtaken the United States to rank second in two emerging fields of technological research: bio-manufacturing and distributed ledger technology.
In the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI), India ranks just behind the US and China in several key segments, including advanced data analytics, AI algorithms, hardware accelerators, machine learning, advanced integrated circuit design and manufacturing, natural language processing, and adversarial AI.
According to the report, this is a huge leap from 2003-2007, when India ranked in the top five in only four technologies. The report covers critical technologies across a wide range of fields, including space, defence, energy, environment, artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, cybersecurity, advanced computing, advanced materials and quantum technology. It compiles data spanning from 2003 to 2023 and tracks high-impact research (defined as the top 10 per cent of most cited papers) as an indicator of a country’s research performance, strategic goals and future technological potential.
China tops global research charts, dominating in 57 of 64 critical technologies. In contrast, the United States, which led in 60 technologies between 2003 and 2007, now ranks first in only seven areas (based on the 2019-2023 rankings), including quantum computing and vaccines and medical countermeasures.
The UK has also seen a drop in its ranking, now in the top five for 37 technologies, down from 44th last year. The EU, counted as a bloc, leads in two areas (small satellites and gravitational force sensors) and is second in 30. Germany remains strong, ranking in the top five for 27 technologies.
While India is yet to lead in any critical technology, it has secured the second position in areas such as highly specific machine processes, advanced composite materials, independent infrastructure networks and meshes, smart materials and biofuels.
India also ranks third in several key technologies including electronic warfare, autonomous underwater vehicle, sonar and acoustic sensor, photonic sensor, post-quantum cryptography, photovoltaics, nuclear waste management, supercapacitors and advanced aircraft engines.
However, the report highlights a major drawback of India’s research efforts: the lack of leading researchers. Only five Indian institutions figure in the top five across all 64 technologies in the past two decades (2003-2023).
“This lack of prominent players (where research is highly fragmented) may be limiting India’s ability to attract foreign research talent and motivate Indian scientists and technologists to stay or return to Indian institutions,” the report notes.
First published: August 29, 2024 | 21:55 IS
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