The foundation of this transformation was laid through the Digital India programme launched in 2015, which sought to make technology accessible to every citizen. The initiative led to an unprecedented expansion of digital infrastructure. Optical fibre coverage increased from 19.35 lakh route kilometres in 2019 to 42.36 lakh route kilometres in 2025, while India carried out one of the fastest fifth-generation mobile network deployments in the world, extending services to almost every district.
Digital connectivity expanded rapidly, with internet connections rising from 25 crore in 2014 to more than 102 crore in 2026. Broadband subscriptions grew from 6.1 crore to nearly 100 crore during the same period. Affordable internet access played a crucial role in this growth, with data prices falling sharply from ₹2,269 per gigabyte in 2014 to nearly ₹28.10 per gigabyte, making India one of the most affordable digital markets globally. The widespread availability of connectivity accelerated the adoption of digital payments, telemedicine, online education, electronic commerce and electronic governance, transforming Digital India into the backbone of the country’s technology ecosystem.
With a strong digital foundation in place, India shifted its focus toward developing advanced technologies critical to future economic and strategic competitiveness. Supercomputing emerged as a key priority, leading to the launch of the National Supercomputing Mission in 2015 with an investment of ₹4,500 crore. Since then, 38 supercomputers with a combined computational capacity of 47 petaflops have been deployed across leading research institutions. A major achievement under the programme has been the development of the indigenous PARAM Rudra series using domestic hardware and software capabilities, strengthening the country’s capacity in high-performance computing and advanced scientific research.
Artificial intelligence has become another strategic area of focus. The national mission aims to establish indigenous computing infrastructure, expand access to advanced graphics processing units, support startups and research institutions, promote responsible and inclusive development, and encourage adoption across public services. By 2026, nearly 89 per cent of newly registered startups were using artificial intelligence solutions. A shared computing facility equipped with more than 38,000 graphics processing units is being developed to provide wider access to advanced computational resources. The AI Kosh platform already hosts thousands of datasets and hundreds of models supporting innovation in healthcare, agriculture, education and governance, reinforcing India's commitment to trustworthy and human-centric artificial intelligence systems.
Cloud computing has become a crucial pillar supporting the country’s expanding digital ecosystem. The MeghRaj cloud initiative, launched in 2014, evolved into MeghRaj 2.0 with hybrid architecture and stronger cybersecurity capabilities. Government adoption increased significantly from 342 departments in 2015-16 to more than 2,300 departments by 2026. Major digital platforms including DigiLocker, MyGov and the National Scholarship Portal depend on cloud infrastructure for efficient service delivery. Budgetary support for 2026-27 has further encouraged investments in cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure, enhancing digital sovereignty.
Blockchain technology is also transforming governance and trust mechanisms. The National Blockchain Framework introduced by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology seeks to establish a secure and interoperable ecosystem. Indigenous platforms including Vishvasya Blockchain Stack, NBFLite Sandbox, Praamaanik Verification System and the National Blockchain Portal are already supporting practical applications. More than three crore property documents have been verified through blockchain systems, reducing disputes and improving transparency. The Reserve Bank of India’s Digital Rupee pilot projects and blockchain-based systems adopted by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India demonstrate the increasing integration of distributed ledger technologies into governance and finance.
The rapid expansion of digital services has fueled unprecedented growth in data centre infrastructure. Capacity increased from 375 megawatts in 2020 to nearly 1,500 megawatts by 2025. Major hubs have emerged in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Noida and Jamnagar, while new hyperscale and artificial intelligence-focused facilities are being developed across several states. These centres have become critical assets supporting cloud services, artificial intelligence applications and digital transactions.
Biotechnology has emerged as another major pillar of innovation. India’s biotechnology sector crossed 150 billion United States dollars in 2023, achieving national targets ahead of schedule, and reached approximately 190 billion United States dollars by 2026. Government initiatives including the National Biopharma Mission, BioE3 Policy, BioNEST incubators and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council programmes have accelerated research, innovation and commercialization. A network of 94 bioincubators is currently supporting work in genomics, synthetic biology, precision medicine and bio-manufacturing.
Recognising that technological leadership depends on skilled human resources, India has strengthened research institutions and talent development programmes. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation and the ₹1 lakh crore Research Development and Innovation Scheme are supporting advanced research and commercialization. Programmes such as FutureSkills PRIME, Skill India Digital Hub, National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology training networks, Chips to Startup Programme and Skilling for Artificial Intelligence Readiness are preparing millions of people for careers in emerging technologies, creating one of the world’s largest future-ready workforces.
India’s growing technological capabilities have gained international recognition. The country improved from 81st position in the Global Innovation Index in 2015 to 38th in 2025, reflecting major progress in innovation capacity. More than 2,100 Global Capability Centres employing approximately 2.36 million professionals are operating in the country, with many focusing on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, analytics and advanced engineering. Global initiatives such as Bharat 6G Alliance, SEMICON India, India Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit and India Stack diplomacy have further strengthened the country’s reputation as a trusted technology partner.
India’s Digital Public Infrastructure model, comprising Aadhaar, Unified Payments Interface, DigiLocker, CoWIN and UMANG, is increasingly being studied and adopted internationally. The country has signed digital cooperation agreements with more than 20 nations, highlighting growing confidence in its technological frameworks and governance models.
The transformation is not limited to economic growth. It reflects a broader strategy aimed at strengthening self-reliance, enhancing strategic capabilities, creating employment opportunities, improving public service delivery and increasing national competitiveness. Over the past twelve years, India has built strong foundations through investments in digital infrastructure, research ecosystems, startup development, advanced manufacturing and skill enhancement. As emerging technologies redefine the global economy, the country’s growing capabilities in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technologies, biotechnology, cloud computing and digital public infrastructure are positioning it to play a defining role in the technological landscape of the twenty-first century. While the journey toward becoming a fully developed nation by 2047 continues, the foundations of a technology-driven future are already firmly established.
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