By Amit Chadha
For decades, India was the nerve centre of IT services, revolutionising how businesses worldwide operate. But over the past few years, a new wave of transformation has been underway — one that redefines India’s position on the global innovation map. Engineering R&D (ER&D) is becoming the backbone of India’s growth story, driving technological breakthroughs that are shaping industries—from autonomous mobility and AI-powered healthcare to next-gen manufacturing and digital sustainability.
The question is, can India Inc move beyond being the world’s back office to becoming the innovation engine of the future. With the right mix of government support, industry investments, and an ecosystem buzzing with talent, the answer is a resounding yes.
Let’s talk numbers. Nasscom predicts India’s ER&D market will touch $63 billion by 2026 — fueled by rising demand for AI, EVs, 5G and digital engineering. However, a recent boost in government R&D spending signals a much larger transformation at play. For the first time, India is positioning itself as a global leader in tech creation.
India is home to hundreds of centres of excellence (CoEs), employing the best engineering minds to develop next-gen solutions. In automotive sector, engineers in Bengaluru and Pune are shaping the future of software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and battery intelligence systems. Similarly, in med-tech, Indian R&D teams are building AI-driven diagnostics that are setting new benchmarks in global healthcare.
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The government’s vision for a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047 hinges on engineering innovation — especially in sectors like:
EVs & battery tech: Indian R&D is accelerating the shift from fossil fuels to green mobility solutions, including solid-state batteries, hydrogen fuel cells and ultra-fast charging technologies.
Aerospace & defence: Homegrown drones, avionics systems, and space-tech are putting India in the league of deep-tech innovators. ISRO’s moon and Mars missions underscore the country’s growing space-tech capabilities.
Semiconductors: With a focus on chip design, India is positioning itself as a hub for fabless semiconductor innovation, reducing reliance on imports.
Renewable energy: Smart grids, AI-driven energy efficiency models are transforming India’s sustainability playbook.
This move from “assembling” to “inventing” is crucial if India is to cut import dependencies and become a net exporter of technology.
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