Forum brings together thought leaders, who envision a ‘Mahaan Bharat’ by 2047

Bengaluru: Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology recently said that India was entering a decisive phase in its science and technology journey, and that the goal was not just to expand research output, but to build an innovation ecosystem that is globally competitive, economically impactful, and aligned to national priorities.

“The new initiatives from the National Research Foundation to the Quantum and Cyber-Physical Systems Missions and now the ₹1 trillion R&D and Innovation Fund are designed to deepen capabilities, accelerate commercialization and ensure that India leads in shaping the technologies of the future. We are building a science and innovation ecosystem that is future-ready, self-reliant and globally influential as we move towards the vision of a developed India by 2047,” he said, at the inaugural session of the three-day IEEE Future Networks World Forum 2025 recently.

Dr. Karandikar made these observations in the context of India’s ongoing national efforts to strengthen research, innovation and advanced technology development across strategic sectors including deep tech, communications, space, quantum computing and AI.

He added that India had recorded significant progress in science and innovation, now ranking third globally in science and engineering publications and PhD output, with patent filings doubling in the last year.

The country has also become the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with over 170,000 startups and more than 100 unicorns.

Key national initiatives driving this growth include the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), which is steering mission-mode research programmes such as a national AI initiative, the $1 billion National Quantum Mission establishing four thematic hubs and supporting domestic quantum start-ups, and the National Mission on Cyber-Physical Systems, which has built 25 Technology Innovation Hubs, backed 884 startups, and enabled developments such as IIT Bombay’s multilingual RxJai LLM.

Complementing these is the newly launched ₹1 trillion National R&D and Innovation Fund, aimed at boosting private-sector R&D in strategic deep-tech areas including semiconductors, 6G and future networks, quantum systems, space, robotics, climate and energy solutions, AI-driven healthcare and biomanufacturing, advanced medical devices, digital agriculture, and other sectors expected to shape India’s next phase of scientific competitiveness and economic growth.

The IEEE Future Networks World Forum 2025, a three-day event held in the city, brought together researchers, industry leaders and network architects from around the world to examine the rapidly evolving landscape of global connectivity.

Father of the Internet, Vinton Gray Cerf, who virtually joined the Forum, said, “The future of networking is already unfolding through the expansion of subsea fiber systems and the rise of low-Earth-orbit satellite networks, which are extending connectivity to remote regions, ocean routes, and places where cables are impractical. However, the growing convenience and ubiquity of connectivity also increase our dependence on these systems. Disruptions — whether caused by accidents, cyberattacks, or infrastructure failures can have immediate and serious consequences. As billions of people now rely on constant access to digital communication, building resilient networks with diverse routes, backup capabilities, and strong security is essential. The next phase of networking will be defined not only by reach, but by its ability to withstand failure.”

Ashutosh Dutta, founding co-chair, IEEE Future Networks World Forum, which is affiliated with Johns Hopkins University, said: “The 8th IEEE Future Networks World Forum in Bengaluru not only accelerates the deployment of 5G but also paves the way for 6G research and development. This forum provides a platform for industry, academia, government, and startups to engage and collaborate in creating a new ecosystem to advance technology for humanity.”

Other keynote speakers from academia, industry, and global tech alliances also shared their perspectives during the forum.