A Decade of Transformation
As the global economy shifts toward high-impact technologies like AI, quantum computing, and synthetic biology, India is fast positioning itself as a deeptech powerhouse. Gone are the days when India was merely known for IT services and outsourced engineering. The country is now nurturing the kind of research, talent, and industrial collaboration needed to lead in core technologies.
This isn’t just media speculation. It’s a belief shared by thought leaders driving the change from within. Among them is CEO and professor Satya Chakravarthy, who recently remarked,
“India will have a lot of work to show for in the deeptech segment by the end of the decade.”
His statement signals not only hope, but also confidence—confidence built on real advancements and a vision grounded in science and scale.
Who Is Satya Chakravarthy—and Why His Words Matter
Satya Chakravarthy is more than a voice in India’s innovation circles—he’s a builder. As a professor at IIT Madras and co-founder of companies like The ePlane Company, Chakravarthy has been at the forefront of deeptech entrepreneurship and academic research. His expertise spans aerospace engineering and sustainable propulsion systems, both of which are critical for India’s ambitions in defense, mobility, and climate tech.
As someone involved in both lab research and startup building, Chakravarthy understands the challenges of converting deep science into commercial impact. This is what makes his prediction significant. When he says India will “have a lot of work to show for,” he’s talking about validated products, global patents, and tangible breakthroughs—not just prototypes or policies.
Where India Stands in 2025
India’s deeptech ecosystem has already moved from potential to performance. In 2025, we see a growing network of startups working on complex, long-gestation technologies that go beyond incremental software updates.
In the artificial intelligence space, startups like Sigtuple, Arya.ai, and Mad Street Den are applying AI to healthcare, finance, and retail. These companies are not only building AI models but also developing foundational technologies adapted to Indian data ecosystems.
In quantum research, the launch of the National Quantum Mission marks a historic investment in quantum cryptography, computing, and sensing. With research hubs like IISc Bangalore and TIFR Mumbai leading the charge, India aims to develop quantum processors, secure communications protocols, and a national quantum cloud infrastructure.
Meanwhile, private space tech is evolving at warp speed. Startups like Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos have already conducted successful test launches, while Pixxel is deploying Earth-observation satellites with hyperspectral imaging. These are not just isolated wins; they reflect a fundamental shift where private R&D is solving problems that were once the domain of national agencies like ISRO.
Even in biotech and cleantech, India’s trajectory is impressive. From startups developing lab-grown meat to carbon-capture solutions for steel plants, the country is pushing the frontiers in environmental innovation. Many of these ventures are supported by university incubators and central research funding, indicating long-term state commitment to scientific innovation.
The Road to 2030: What “A Lot of Work” Will Look Like
When Chakravarthy speaks of a future where India will have “a lot of work to show for,” he is envisioning a landscape where deeptech startups are scaling globally, research is generating intellectual property, and new technologies are solving India’s biggest challenges—climate resilience, energy access, healthcare delivery, and national security.
By 2030, India is expected to have fully functional quantum testbeds, AI-powered agricultural systems, reusable rockets, and perhaps even early-stage nuclear fusion pilots. Deeptech companies will likely cross international borders, setting up R&D labs in Europe and Asia while staying headquartered in India.
Additionally, we will see the rise of cross-border research collaborations with academic institutions like MIT, ETH Zurich, and NTU Singapore. India is positioning itself not as a follower, but as an originator of knowledge and products.
Policy Support and Institutional Infrastructure
None of this growth is happening in a vacuum. The Indian government has ramped up policy-level support to match global ambitions. The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme has begun allocating specific grants to deeptech categories. The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) is funding semiconductors, AI processors, and next-gen robotics. Moreover, ISRO’s IN-SPACe initiative is providing regulatory support for space startups, while the Defense Innovation Organisation (iDEX) has opened defense procurement to private innovations.
Incubators and accelerators have mushroomed across the country, often linked with IITs and NITs. The IIT Madras Research Park, for instance, has played a pivotal role in supporting over 250 startups, many of which are working in robotics, autonomous vehicles, and sustainable energy.
Challenges on the Horizon
Despite the momentum, India’s deeptech journey is not without hurdles. The country still faces a shortage of advanced researchers in fields like nanotechnology, quantum physics, and bioinformatics. While software engineering education is widespread, the demand for core science specialists continues to outstrip supply.
Additionally, commercialization remains a weak link. Unlike SaaS products that can be rolled out in weeks, deeptech ventures need years of development, testing, and regulatory clearances. Many startups struggle to cross the so-called “valley of death” between prototype and product-market fit.
Funding is also a mixed bag. While interest is growing, investors are often hesitant due to long payback periods and high R&D risks. There is a need for more patient capital and government-backed venture funds that specifically cater to deeptech.
India’s Global Deeptech Positioning
On the global stage, India is no longer just a software services provider it is becoming a net contributor to global tech innovation. Unlike countries that rely solely on state funding, India’s model is hybrid: combining state support, private entrepreneurship, and academic strength.
Take the example of India’s collaboration with the European Union on quantum encryption standards, or the India-US semiconductor pact, which includes knowledge transfer and fabrication support. These alliances show that India is not only building for itself but also shaping global standards.
Moreover, India’s innovations are often built for extreme affordability and scale—think portable dialysis units or off-grid solar cold storage that are now being exported to Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. This unique approach, where frugality meets frontier tech, is India’s global edge.
Conclusion: India’s Deeptech Story Is Just Beginning
India’s deeptech revolution is not just a trend, it’s a national strategy unfolding in real time. From the labs of IIT Madras to the launchpads of private space tech companies, from AI labs in Bengaluru to biotech hubs in Hyderabad, the country is building an ecosystem capable of competing with and contributing to the world’s best.
Satya Chakravarthy’s statement is not a prediction. It’s a roadmap. And by 2030, India may well be recognized as a deeptech superpower, a nation whose innovation legacy moves from code to core science.
