The connection between India and science is woven with deep emotion. It's visible in the collective breath held as a rocket ascends from Sriharikota, in the nationwide cheer for a successful mission, and even in the shared disappointment when years of work face setbacks. This sentiment is uniquely Indian. In 2025, science moved decisively out of specialized labs and into the fabric of everyday life, touching farmers, doctors, engineers, and dreamers alike.
As we close the chapter on 2025, it's clear the year was not about a single, flashy breakthrough. Instead, it was defined by a powerful accumulation of momentum, maturity, and widening reach. Indian science solidified its global standing across multiple disciplines through steady, impactful progress.
A Year of Strategic Consolidation and Global Standing
India's rise as an innovation powerhouse gained further validation in 2025. The country secured the 38th position in the Global Innovation Index 2025, reflecting its growing scientific prowess. Its commitment to research is underscored by ranking 3rd globally in research publications and holding the 6th position worldwide for IP filings (WIPO 2023). Furthermore, India's Network Readiness Index jumped to 49th in 2024 from 79th in 2019, showcasing rapid digital integration.
The year was also pivotal for foundational funding. The Union Cabinet approved the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme with a massive corpus of Rs 1 lakh crore, aimed at spurring private-sector investment. Alongside, the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) became operational to bridge gaps between universities, industry, and national missions, addressing long-standing fragmentation in the research ecosystem.
Landmark Achievements: From Orbital Docks to Homegrown Chips
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reported over 200 significant achievements in 2025, emphasizing sustained institutional strength. Chairman V. Narayanan termed it a year of "consolidation and preparation."
On January 16, India executed a major technological leap with the successful Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX). Two satellites were docked in orbit with millimetre-level precision, joining an elite group of nations with this capability critical for future space stations and satellite servicing.
ISRO also celebrated its historic 100th launch on January 29 using the GSLV-F15. The year saw approval for a third launch pad at Sriharikota, preparing for increased frequency and future crewed missions. The Aditya-L1 solar mission continued its vital observations, with ISRO releasing valuable datasets on solar activity to the global community.
In a milestone for human spaceflight, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returned safely in July after an 18-day mission on the International Space Station, conducting experiments to inform India's own Gaganyaan programme. 2025 was a crucial 'Gaganyaan year' of rigorous ground tests and safety validations.
In semiconductors, India unveiled two critical indigenous processors. In December, the DHRUV64, a fully indigenous 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor developed by C-DAC, marked a shift to functional, real-world applications. Earlier, ISRO unveiled the Vikram 3201, a radiation-hardened 32-bit chip for space. The semiconductor ecosystem expanded with multi-crore projects under the India Semiconductor Mission across states like Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
AI and Quantum: Infrastructure for the Future
Artificial intelligence moved from concept to core infrastructure in 2025. In agriculture, an AI-based pilot for monsoon forecasts reached 3.88 crore farmers in 13 states via SMS, with 31–52% reportedly adjusting farming practices based on the alerts.
Healthcare saw transformative tools like AIIMS's MadhuNetrAI for diabetic retinopathy screening and advanced genomic profiling for targeted treatments in Jammu.
A pivotal shift was AI moving beyond English. The vision crystallized in BharatGen, India's first sovereign, multilingual Large Language Model, aiming to cover all 22 scheduled languages by June 2026. Built by a consortium led by IIT Bombay, it powers applications like Krishi Sathi for farmers and e-VikrAI for small sellers.
Quantum technologies became tangible. On April 14 (World Quantum Day), startup QpiAI unveiled QpiAI-Indus, a 25-qubit superconducting quantum computer, developed under the National Quantum Mission. In November, they announced the "Kaveri" quantum processor, a 64-qubit chip, hailed as the most powerful built in India.
Supercomputing power under the National Supercomputing Mission, with a grid of 37 systems offering ~40 petaflops, accelerated climate modelling, drug discovery, and materials research for thousands of scientists.
Democratizing Science: Engagement Beyond Metros
A defining feature of 2025 was the conscious spread of scientific engagement beyond major cities. National Science Day 2025, with the theme "Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science and Innovation for Viksit Bharat," brought science to classrooms and community halls nationwide.
Programs like INSPIRE-MANAK received over 4.2 lakh nominations from more than 84,000 schools, mobilizing young minds from Class 6 to 10. Mobile science vans reached remote districts in states like Odisha, while initiatives like CSIR-NEERI’s "One Day as a Scientist" offered hands-on research experience. Platforms such as the India International Science Festival (IISF) and various olympiads provided national stages for talent from non-metro regions.
In summary, 2025 was a year where Indian science demonstrated resilient momentum. From Sriharikota to Bengaluru, and from quantum labs to rural farms, the year strengthened the nation's scientific ecosystem, laid robust groundwork for the future, and most importantly, made science relevant and inspiring for millions of Indians.
