D. Developments in Science and Technology in Modern India

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D. Developments in Science and Technology in Modern India

The government of India has adequately acknowledged the contribution that science and technology have made to the country’s progress. The Second Five-Year Plan emphasized that “the community’s readiness to apply modern science and technology is the most significant single component in supporting economic development.”

To support emerging fields of research and technology, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) was established in 1971. At the state level, State Councils of Science and Technology have also been established.
India has advanced greatly in many other domains in addition to these important ones. These include the exploration and refinement of oil by the Oil and Natural Gas Commission and the production of solar energy by the National Committee of Environment Planning.
To control pollution in the Ganga River, the Central Ganga Authority was established. The nation currently has a solid foundation in modem technology.
The relatively strict intellectual property laws in India will help the country become a significant R&D hub.

Major Developments –

Space Research	India’s space program, spearheaded by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), stands out as one of the most successful in the world. ISRO’s achievements include the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), which made India the first Asian nation to reach Martian orbit and the first in the world to do so in its maiden attempt. The Chandrayaan missions aimed at exploring the moon have placed India among the elite group of countries that have mastered the technology for space exploration. Additionally, ISRO has developed a series of indigenous satellites and launch vehicles, such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), enhancing India’s capability in remote sensing, communication, and navigation.
Information Technology and Software Services	R&D projects are increasingly being outsourced to India. More than 1,100 R&D centers have been established by multinational corporations (MNCs), including IBM, Google, Microsoft, Intel, Lupin, Wockhardt, and others. Information and communication technologies, biotechnology, aircraft, automotive, chemicals, and materials technology are all covered by these R&D facilities. India has emerged as a global hub for information technology (IT) and software services, contributing significantly to the global IT workforce. Indian IT firms like Infosys, TCS, and Wipro are recognized globally for their software development, IT services, and outsourcing solutions. The country’s IT sector has been a critical driver of economic growth, generating millions of jobs and significantly contributing to India’s GDP.
Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industry	India’s biotechnology sector has grown exponentially, with advancements in genetic engineering, stem cell research, and the development of vaccines and biopharmaceuticals. The Indian pharmaceutical industry, known as the “pharmacy of the world,” is a leader in the production of generic drugs, supplying affordable medicines to various countries. Indian companies like Biocon and Serum Institute of India play crucial roles in drug development and vaccine production, contributing to global health initiatives.
Renewable Energy	India’s commitment to renewable energy is evident in its ambitious targets and projects in solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. The International Solar Alliance (ISA), co-founded by India, aims to harness solar energy globally, especially in countries rich in solar potential. The country’s push for renewable energy is part of its broader efforts to combat climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Nuclear and Defense Technology	India has made significant advancements in nuclear technology and defense. It has developed nuclear reactors for energy production and is a member of the select group of countries with indigenous capabilities to design and build nuclear-powered submarines. In defense, India is focusing on self-reliance through the development of various indigenous systems, including missiles (Agni and Prithvi series), fighter jets (Tejas), and other advanced military technologies.
Digital India Initiative	The Digital India initiative aims to transform the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. It focuses on improving online infrastructure, increasing internet connectivity, and making government services electronically available to citizens. This initiative has led to significant advancements in digital payments, e-governance, and internet accessibility across the country.
Startups	In terms of the number of startups, India is currently the third-largest nation. In the upcoming years, it is anticipated that this number will increase tremendously. The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) was established by the government to drastically change the nation’s innovation, entrepreneurship, and start-up ecosystems.
Global participation	The government is sponsoring numerous research and development programs as part of the national policy to boost scientific activities. Thus, we discover that scientific knowledge and modern technology have had an impact on practically every field, including ocean development, nuclear energy, space technology, electronics, agriculture, and industry. Leading some groundbreaking research being done around the world are scientists from India. It has been exciting to see recent advancements in frontier science and technology made by Indian scientists. For instance, 37 Indian scientists from nine Indian institutes were instrumental in the gravitational wave discovery that won the 2017 Physics Nobel Prize. The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), located in the United States, discovered a neutron star merger with the assistance of Indian scientists. Additionally, it boasts the third-largest technical and scientific labor force in the entire world.