National Technology Day 2025: India’s Achievements, plans and challenges

Dr. HOMNATHLUITEL

From Pokhran’s nuclear success to quantum frontiers — India’s technological journey is poised for the future

Every year on May 11, National Technology Day is celebrated in India tocommemorate the scientific and technological developments that have shaped the nation. The day marks the anniversary of the Pokhran-II nuclear tests of 1998, an event that established India as a nuclear power and demonstrated its commitment to technological self-reliance and national security.In 2025, as India accelerates its advancements in defence, space exploration, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and other emerging fields, this day offers a timely opportunity to assess how far the nation has come and where it plans to move.

A Legacy of Strategic Technologies

In the year1998,Pokhran-II nuclear tests, led under the leadership of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and scientists from DRDO and BARC such as Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, were a turning point in India’s scientific journey. These tests demonstrated India’s nuclear deterrent capabilities and positioned it on the global stage as a technologically advanced nation. But India did not stop there.

One of the landmark achievements after Pokhran was Mission Shakti, an anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test carried out on March 27, 2019. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully destroyed India’s own Microsat-R satellite, which was orbiting at an altitude of 283 kilometres. This mission placed India among the elite group of nations, alongside the USA, Russia, and China, with demonstrated ASAT capabilities. ASAT technology is strategically important as it can be used to disable or destroy adversary satellites, thereby safeguarding a country’s own communication and surveillance infrastructure.

Another significant milestone of India’s defence technology has been the strengthening of its nuclear triad; the ability to deliver nuclear weapons from land, air, and sea. The commissioning of INS Arihant, India’s first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine officially commissioned in 2019, marked a significant leap in this area. Powered by an 83 MW nuclear reactor and capable of carrying both K-15 Sagarika and K-4 ballistic missiles, INS Arihant provides India with assured second-strike capability. In August 2024, India further strengthened this deterrence by commissioning INS Arighaat, the second nuclear submarine, ensuring continuous patrol and operational readiness. Having pursued my doctoral research at Kolkata centre of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), known as VECC Kolkata, I had the privilege of witnessing the deep scientific commitment that underpinned the realisation of such cutting-edge defence systems. 

Entering the Quantum Era

While India has consolidated its capabilities in conventional strategic technologies, its eyes are now set on leading the next technological revolution known as quantum computing. Unlike classical computers, which process information as bits (0 or 1), quantum computers use qubits. Due to the unique rules of quantum mechanics, these qubits can be in multiple states at once, a phenomenon known as superposition. Even more astonishing is quantum entanglement, where qubits become intertwined, so that the state of one affects the other, no matter how far apart they are. Together, these phenomena allow quantum computers to crunch numbers and analyze data on a scale unimaginable by today’s standards.

 India’s National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications, launched with an ambitious vision, aims to develop indigenous 50-qubit quantum processors by 2030. The mission seeks to establish quantum research hubs, foster industry collaborations, and spearhead advancements in quantum communication, computing, and materials.

Globally, the race in quantum computing is intensifying. The United States, with industry leaders like Google and IBM, has already showcased powerful quantum prototypes. China too has made notable progress, building extensive quantum networks. The European Union is running a billion-euro Quantum Flagship programme, while countries like Australia and Japan are pushing boundaries in semiconductor-based qubits. With developments in parallel world, it is very crucial for india to speed up its process of building a Quantum machine as it may lead to enormous threat to the banking sector and other encryption based sectors.

During my postdoctoral research tenure at Wits University, South Africa, I had the unique opportunity to visit the IBM quantum centre, Braamfontein and also be a part of a team in the process of building its own 10 qubits quantum machine at school of Physics, Wits University, Johannesburg. I have to opportunity to work with an ultra-low temperature (about 10 mK) system known as Dilution Refrigerator (DR) making it ready to install qubits. The low temperature of this range is crucial requirement for stabilising qubits. My involvement in operating and studying DR allowed me to understand and appreciate the beauty and challenges of physics involve in achieving such a technological advancement.I also got chance to work on NV-centre diamond system, which is possible future qubits material. The theoretical work is available to read online (arXiv:2505.04064). This emerging field of research has immense research possibilities and opportunities for researchers looking to contribute something meaningful and substantial for human kind.

Building Self-Reliance Beyond Defence

India’s technological advancements extend beyond the defence and quantum research. A collective push is underway to make the country self-reliant in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and telecommunications. New semiconductor fabrication plants are being developed under the SPECS scheme, aiming to reduce dependence on imports and stimulate domestic manufacturing and employment.India has also entered key partnerships to build next-generation AI chips. In 2024, a landmark collaboration with Nvidia was announced to design custom AI processors, boosting India’s capabilities in machine learning and data-intensive applications. Meanwhile, the country continues to expand its 5G networks and has already initiated 6G research at IIT Madras, aiming to position itself as a global leader in telecommunications innovation.These developments align with the larger vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India), underscoring the nation’s commitment to becoming a trusted global supplier of advanced technologies.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the remarkable progress, India faces several challenges as it moves into uncharted technological territories. Quantum computers, for instance, are very difficult to build and operate due to qubit fragility and high error rates. Experts predict that it may take at least another decade before practical, large-scale quantum computers are widely available.

From Pokhran’s nuclear success to Mission Shakti’s space defence feat, and now the national Quantum Missions, India has demonstrated both the vision and resolve to embrace future-defining technologies.

“Quantum computing won’t just change computing — it will change everything.”  Dr. Jian-Wei Pan

About the Author:

(Dr.Homnath Luitel is working as an Assistant Professor at NBBGC, Tadong. He is an activere searcher with more than two dozen international publications and has been the recipient of two national level science competition awards. Email: luitelhomnath@gmail.com)