19 Sep A Homegrown Innovation Ecosystem Is Taking Root

Which Subject is Related?

UPSC GS Paper III — Science & Technology

Key Topics:
Indigenous technology, Research & Development (R&D), deep-tech startups, semiconductor technology, Gallium Nitride (GaN), 5G/6G, patents, intellectual property rights, technology transfer, public-private R&D and innovation ecosystem.

Why is it in the News?

The The Hindu editorial highlights the gradual emergence of a stronger homegrown innovation ecosystem in India, where government laboratories, academic institutions, private industry and startups are increasingly contributing to technology development and commercialisation.

India has traditionally been recognised more strongly for its IT and services capabilities than for indigenous technology creation. However, developments in semiconductor technology, telecommunications, space technology, biotechnology and advanced healthcare indicate a gradual shift towards technology generation and intellectual-property ownership.

Moreover, the editorial uses India’s development of Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology as an example of how public research can move from laboratories to commercial applications.

India’s Innovation Journey: From User to Creator

Innovation is not limited to filing patents. A successful innovation ecosystem requires a complete chain:

Basic Research → Applied Research → Technology Development → Patent/IP → Technology Transfer → Commercialisation → Mass Adoption

India has made progress at several stages of this chain, but gaps remain, particularly between research output and commercialisation.

The editorial argues that three important pillars are increasingly coming together:

1. Public-sector and government-supported research institutions
2. Private-sector R&D
3. Deep-tech startups and academic entrepreneurship

Consequently, India is gradually moving from being primarily a technology implementer towards becoming a technology developer and standard-setter.

The Patent Story: Quantity vs Quality

Patent filings are an important indicator of innovation, but they should not be treated as the only measure of technological capability.

According to the editorial, India’s patent filings increased from more than 1.10 lakh in 2024–25 to more than 1.43 lakh in 2025–26, representing a rise of about 30.2%. Domestic applicants accounted for almost seven out of ten filings.

The official Intellectual Property India portal also records the figure of 1.43 lakh+ patent filings in FY 2025–26.

However, the editorial points out an important limitation: a patent application does not automatically become a granted or commercially successful patent.

Therefore, UPSC aspirants should distinguish between:

Patent Filing ≠ Patent Grant ≠ Commercialisation ≠ Successful Innovation

India needs to improve not only patent generation but also patent quality, technology transfer and market adoption.

R&D Spending: The Major Challenge

One of India’s persistent weaknesses has been relatively low expenditure on research and development.

The editorial notes that India spends just under 1% of GDP on R&D, compared with approximately 2.4% in China and 3.5% in the United States.

Historical official DST data show that India’s Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD) was 0.64% of GDP in 2020–21, highlighting the long-standing gap in R&D intensity.

The challenge, therefore, is not merely increasing the number of researchers or patents. India needs sustained investment in:

• Fundamental research
• Applied research
• Research infrastructure
• University-industry collaboration
• Deep-tech startups
• Technology transfer
• Long-gestation R&D

GaN Technology: A Case Study of Indigenous Innovation

One of the most important examples discussed in the editorial is Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology.

GaN is a semiconductor material with applications in areas such as:

• Advanced radar systems
• Defence electronics
• Space systems
• 5G/6G communications
• Electric-vehicle charging
• Renewable-energy systems

In March 2023, DRDO laboratories, including the Solid State Physics Laboratory and the Gallium Arsenide Enabling Technology Centre, announced a breakthrough in GaN-based Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs).

The technology is now being transferred for applications including 5G/6G infrastructure, EV onboard chargers and renewable-energy inverter systems.

The editorial identifies India as one of a small group of countries that has developed this capability.

This example is important because it demonstrates the complete innovation pipeline:

Government laboratory → Academic ecosystem → Technology transfer → Startup → Commercial application

AGNIT Semiconductors, a spin-off from the Indian Institute of Science’s Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, is cited as an example of this transition.

From 5G Implementer to 6G Innovator

India’s growing participation in international telecommunications standards is another important development.

The editorial states that members of the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) have made more than 7,700 patent filings related to 5G and 6G technologies, including more than 4,400 foreign filings.

However, an important qualification must be remembered: these are patent applications and not necessarily granted patents or standard-essential patents.

The editorial also notes nearly 3,000 technical contributions to 3GPP in the previous year, representing a substantial increase over 2020.

This matters because future technological power will depend not only on using technology but also on controlling:

Patents + Standards + Intellectual Property + Critical Technologies

Therefore, participation in international standard-setting bodies can strengthen India’s technological and strategic position.

Rise of Deep-Tech Startups

India’s startup ecosystem is also moving beyond conventional service-based models towards deep technology and complex manufacturing.

The editorial highlights examples from different sectors:

Space Technology

Startups such as Pixxel Space, Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos are working in areas including hyperspectral imaging, launch vehicles and advanced space technologies.

Biotechnology and Healthcare

ImmunoACT, incubated at IIT Bombay in partnership with Tata Memorial Centre, developed NexCAR19, an indigenous CAR-T cell therapy.

The editorial highlights its affordability compared with typical CAR-T treatment costs.

Artificial Intelligence and Healthcare

Companies such as Remidio Innovative Solutions are using AI and smartphone-enabled retinal imaging for conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

These examples show that deep-tech innovation can have applications in:

Defence + Space + Healthcare + Energy + Telecommunications + Manufacturing

Why is Indigenous Innovation Important for India?

1. Strategic Autonomy

Dependence on imported critical technologies can create strategic vulnerabilities.

Indigenous capabilities in semiconductors, telecommunications, defence electronics and space technologies can strengthen technological autonomy.

2. Economic Growth

Successful commercialisation of research can generate new industries, high-skilled employment and export opportunities.

Moreover, intellectual property can allow firms to capture greater value from global technology markets.

3. National Security

Technologies such as GaN-based electronics have applications in radar, communication and defence systems.

Therefore, domestic technological capabilities have direct strategic significance.

4. Affordable Innovation

Indian innovation can focus on developing cost-effective technologies suited to domestic conditions.

The examples of indigenous healthcare technologies illustrate how innovation can improve accessibility while reducing costs.

5. Global Standard-Setting

Participation in international technology standards can allow India to influence the architecture of emerging technologies rather than simply adopting standards developed elsewhere.

Major Challenges

1. Low R&D Intensity

India’s R&D expenditure remains relatively low compared with major innovation economies.

2. Weak University-Industry Linkages

Research produced in universities and laboratories does not always reach the market.

3. Technology Transfer Gap

A patent may remain within an institution unless there are effective mechanisms for licensing, technology transfer and commercialisation.

4. Patent Quality and Commercialisation

A rise in patent applications does not automatically indicate successful innovation.

India must improve the conversion of:

Patent → Product → Market → Scale

5. Long Gestation Period

Deep-tech sectors require substantial capital and often take many years to generate commercial returns.

Consequently, conventional short-term venture capital may not always be sufficient.

6. Limited Research Infrastructure

Advanced semiconductor, biotechnology, space and materials research requires expensive laboratories, testing facilities and specialised human resources.

7. Skilled Human Capital

India needs researchers, engineers and entrepreneurs who can work across disciplines such as:

• AI
• Semiconductor engineering
• Materials science
• Biotechnology
• Robotics
• Quantum technology
• Advanced manufacturing

Way Forward

India needs to strengthen the entire innovation pipeline rather than focusing only on individual indicators such as patents or startup numbers.

Strengthen R&D Funding

Public investment should continue to support fundamental and high-risk research, while private-sector participation should increase.

Improve Industry-Academia Collaboration

Universities, IITs, research laboratories and companies should work together on commercially relevant research.

Build Better Technology-Transfer Mechanisms

Clear and standardised rules for publicly funded intellectual property can make licensing and commercialisation easier.

Support Deep-Tech Startups

Long-term patient capital, specialised incubators, testing facilities and government procurement can help deep-tech startups move from prototypes to commercial scale.

Strengthen the Patent Ecosystem

Patent examination capacity should improve so that high-quality innovations receive timely protection.

Focus on Standards

India should increase participation in international standard-setting organisations such as 3GPP, particularly in emerging technologies such as 6G.

Encourage Mission-Oriented Research

National missions should connect scientific research with strategic objectives in areas such as:

Semiconductors → Defence → Space → Energy → Telecommunications → Advanced Manufacturing

Important Prelims Fact

GaN (Gallium Nitride) is a semiconductor material particularly useful in high-frequency, high-power and high-temperature applications.

Therefore, it has relevance in defence electronics, radar, telecommunications, power electronics and space-related technologies.

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Question 1

Consider the following statements regarding India’s innovation ecosystem:

1. Patent filing is the same as patent grant.
2. Participation in international technology standard-setting can influence the future development of communication technologies.
3. Deep-tech startups generally require longer development cycles and specialised R&D infrastructure than many conventional technology startups.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B. 2 and 3 only

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect:
A patent filing is an application for protection. It does not automatically mean that the patent has been granted or commercially implemented.

Statement 2 is correct:
International standards influence how technologies such as 5G and 6G are designed and adopted. Therefore, participation in standard-setting can have strategic and economic importance.

Statement 3 is correct:
Deep-tech ventures often involve complex scientific research, expensive infrastructure, testing and longer development periods before commercialisation.