Emerging Tech is a concept that refers to the development of new technologies or the continuing advancement of existing ones, which are expected to significantly alter the business and social environment within the next few years. Examples of these technologies include Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, semiconductors, and blockchain.
The concept is rooted in the exponential growth of the information technology domain that began at the dawn of the 21st century. In India, the determined effort to make technology a key driver for the nation began around 2014. This effort was formalized with the launch of the Digital India Programme in 2015, which created the foundational digital infrastructure necessary for the growth of emerging technologies.
The mechanism for developing these technologies in India is through sustained government investments and mission-mode programmes. For instance, the Semicon India Programme was launched in December 2021 with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore to strengthen technological sovereignty. The National Quantum Mission was approved in April 2023 with an outlay of ₹6,003.65 crore, focusing on four key areas, including Quantum Computing and Quantum Communication. Most recently, the IndiaAI Mission was approved in 2024 with an outlay of over ₹10,300 crore to build indigenous AI computing infrastructure and support research.
Emerging Tech connects directly to the Digital India Programme and the broader national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. It is also closely linked to the development of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and is overseen by institutions like the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
The focus has recently shifted from India being a large consumer of digital services to becoming a global center for technology creation. This change is marked by the launch of the specific, large-scale missions like the IndiaAI Mission (2024) and the National Quantum Mission (April 2023), which aim to build indigenous capability, while the foundational Digital India Programme (2015) remains the base.