What to Read in Indian Express Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1 : A Deep Tech Revolution is on Way

Context: India’s startup ecosystem is catching up with China  

 Introduction: The Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik spurred the US into action, leading to significant investments in science and technology. Similarly, global competition in reusable rockets, AI, robotics, fusion tech, and flying taxis demands India’s strategic focus on deep tech.

 What is Deep Tech?

• Deep tech is rooted in scientific breakthroughs (e.g. AI, quantum computing, gene editing).
• It drives transformative industries (e.g. SpaceX’s reusable rockets, generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT).
• Impact
  1. Economic growth (e.g. Generative AI is projected to add $1 trillion to India’s GDP by FY30).
  2. National self-reliance (e.g. reducing supply chain vulnerabilities).

 

Global Deep-Tech Landscape

• US & China lead in Patents and R&D Spending
  1. China filed more than 38,000 generative AI patents between 2014 and 2023, six times the US.
  2. ASPI study: China leads in 57/64 critical technologies.
• R&D Spending (% of GDP)
  1. US, UK, Germany, Japan: More than 3%
  2. China: Around 2.68%
  3. India: Less than 1%

 

India’s Progress in Deep Tech

• Startup Ecosystem: Key Sectors & Startups
  1. Space Tech: Skyroot (Vikram-S launch in 2022), Agnikul, Pixxel.
  2. Aviation: Sarla, ePlane, Blu-J (flying taxis).
  3. Robotics: Addverb, CynLR.
  4. Defense: ideaForge (drones), EyeRov (underwater robots).
  5. Semiconductors: Mindgrove.
  6. Quantum: Qnu Labs.
• Economic Potential: According to Amitabh Kant deep tech could enable India to become a $10 trillion economy by 2030.

 

Government Initiatives

• Funding Programs
  1. IndiaAI Mission (2024): Rs.10,371 crore for AI ecosystem development.
  2. Deep Tech Fund of Funds: Rs.10,000 crore to address funding gaps.
  3. Space-Tech VC Fund: Rs.1,000 crore for private space innovation.
  4. Semiconductor Mission (2021): Rs.76,000 crore for fab capacity.
• Policy Reforms
  1. Indian Space Policy 2023: Liberalized private-sector participation.
  2. Drone Rules 2024: Simplified regulations for UAVs.
  3. National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP) Draft 2023: Focus on STEM education and R&D incentives.

 

Key Challenges

• Long Gestation Periods: Deep tech requires decadal investments, conflicting with short-term Venture Capital timelines.
• Talent Paradox: Limited engineers specializing in frontier technologies (AI, quantum, robotics).
• Funding Gaps: India’s R&D spending lags behind global peers (sub-1% GDP vs. 3% in advanced economies).

 

Way Forward: Recommendations

• Policy & Funding
  1. Accelerate patent approvals and streamline regulatory processes.
  2. Expand public-private partnerships (e.g. NASA/DARPA models).
• Education & Collaboration
  1. Strengthen university-startup linkages for cutting-edge research.
  2. Prioritize STEM education and specialized training programs.
• Global Benchmarking: Learn from initiatives like US $500 billion Stargate AI Project and China’s $138 billion tech fund.

 

Conclusion: India’s ability to balance immediate economic needs with long-term deep-tech investments will determine its position in the 21st-century global order.

 

Editorial 2 : Startups Need an Enabling Climate

Context: India needs an ecosystem that better enables deep-tech innovation.  

 

Introduction: Union Commerce Minister has noted that Indian startups are overly focused on consumer-driven ventures (food delivery, quick commerce, boutique brands). This contrasts with China’s emphasis on high-tech sectors (EVs, semiconductors, AI, robotics) and highlights India’s struggle to foster deep-tech innovation despite talent abundance.

 

Global Innovation Landscape

• Global Innovation Index 2024
  1. China: Ranked 11th with advanced R&D, strategic investments.
  2. India: Ranked 39th with consumer-driven growth, lagging in foundational tech.
• Investment Gap (2014–2024)
  1. India: $160 billion in tech.
  2. China: $845 billion in tech, driven by initiatives like Made in China 2025.

 

Challenges in India’s Innovation Ecosystem

• Insufficient Government Investment
  1. India’s IndiaAI Mission (Rs.10,000 crore) and Fund of Funds are dwarfed by China’s state-backed programs.
  2. Limited focus on high-risk, long-term R&D projects.
• Risk-Averse Venture Capitalism Culture: Indian VCs prioritize quick returns (e.g. consumer apps) over patient capital for deep tech.
• Skill Gap
  1. In India, millions of engineers graduate annually, but many lack employable skills.
  2. Low global university rankings for research output (e.g. no Indian university in top 100).
• Brain Drain: Top talent migrates to global hubs (e.g. Sundar Pichai at Google, engineers at Tesla/NVIDIA).
• Bureaucratic Hurdles: Legacy issues like angel tax (now scrapped) discouraged early-stage investments.
• Risk Aversion: There is a cultural preference for stable returns over moonshot innovation.

 

Success Areas

• Space Tech: Startups like Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, and Digantara reflect space situational awareness.
• Digital Payments: Paytm and PhonePe revolutionized India’s financial ecosystem.
• Cybersecurity: Startups like CloudSEK and TAC Security, though often acquired early.
• Deep-Tech Growth: As per Nasscom, India’s 4,000 deep-tech startups attracted $1.6 billion in 2024, a 78 per cent increase year-on-year.

 

Way Forward: Opportunities for Strategic Growth

• Policy Interventions
  1. Increase R&D Spending: Expand funding for AI, quantum computing, and renewables (e.g. IndiaAI Mission).
  2. Incentivize Private Sector R&D: Tax breaks for corporate R&D aligned with global benchmarks.
• Education Reforms
  1. Industry-Academia Collaboration: Build research labs and skill development centres in universities.
  2. Focus on Original Research: Revamp curricula to emphasize critical thinking and innovation.
• Cultural Shift
  1. Promote Risk-Taking: Encourage Venture Capital funding for long-term deep-tech projects (e.g. SpaceX-like ventures).
  2. Leverage Diaspora: Create pathways for Indian talent abroad to contribute to domestic innovation.
• Sectoral Focus
  1. Priority Areas: AI/ML, semiconductors, defence tech, climate tech, and smart manufacturing.
  2. Patent Ecosystem: Streamline processes to boost patent filings and protect IP.

 

Conclusion: India must transition from ‘dukandari’ (shopkeeping) to foundational innovation. There is a need to scale funding, foster R&D partnerships and long-term investments. Stakeholders’ efforts must align with Viksit Bharat goals to position India as a global tech leader.