The Indian Republic at 77: Technology as the New Language of Independence
Article by Sudhanshu Kumar
On every Republic Day, we look back at how far we have come as a nation. This year, as India marks its 77th Republic Day, we celebrate something defining, which is “India’s emergence as a technological power, not through dependency on others, but through the determination to build what we need ourselves.”
I work in the world of technology and AI, so I tend to see the country through that lens. But even if you are far from this field, you can feel it. There is a new confidence in the Indian masses. Ten years ago, most of us took it for granted that big breakthroughs would come from somewhere else, and we would just use them. Today, there is a growing belief that we can build those breakthroughs here in India, in our own labs, offices and classrooms.
When we talk about Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047, it can sound like a slogan. But behind those words is a very real shift. It is about a country that no longer wants to depend on others for its most important needs. It is about an India that wants to stand on its own feet in technology, defence, healthcare, space, and so many other areas, and then walk forward with its head held high.
Think of our journey in space. Many of us still remember seeing the news when Chandrayaan-3 touched the Moon’s surface on August 23, 2023, or when we reached Mars in 2014, with our Mangalyaan mission in the very first attempt against all odds. For a lot of people like me, those moments were more than scientific achievements. They were emotional. They told every child in a small town or village that “people like us can do this too.” Our space program has become a symbol of what Indian brains and Indian teamwork can do when given a chance.
The same quiet revolution is happening on the ground in the field of semiconductors and AI, in ways that do not always make headlines. Our engineers are learning to design and build the tiny chips that sit inside our phones, computers, cars and even defence systems. That may sound like a small detail, but it is actually about something very big. For instance, in February 2025, IIT Madras and ISRO developed India’s first indigenous semiconductor chip, called IRIS (RISC-V Controller for Space Applications). Six months later, in December, our Centre for Advanced Computing unveiled DHRUV64, a homegrown processor running at 1 GHz. These are not just numbers in a press release. They represent a fundamental shift that is “India is building the technological backbone for our own future, not borrowing it from outside.” That, to me, is the real meaning of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
In my own field, artificial intelligence, I see both a huge opportunity and a serious responsibility for India. Around the world, countries are racing to build more powerful AI, and the ones that win this race will have a big say in how the world is run. AI is no longer just about smarter phones or nicer apps. It is shaping defence, finance, media, healthcare, and even politics. In this context, in January 2025, the government announced the India AI Mission with an allocation of ₹10,000 crore and access to 40,000 GPUs (graphics processing units) that are the computational engines for AI. Similarly, India has recently established IAIRO (Indian Artificial Intelligence Research Organisation) on the model of ISRO. This shows our firm determination to be a leader in this field.
But I also feel strongly that India must think ahead. The next wave of AI, including what people call AGI (Artificial General Intelligence), and technologies like quantum computing, will change the balance of power between nations. These are not just cool buzzwords for tech conferences. They are the future engines of national security and economic strength. That is why I believe India has to treat AI, AGI and quantum as strategic priorities, not optional extras. China and the US understand this; that’s why they are pouring billions of dollars into these technologies. From a geopolitical lens, through initiatives like BRICS and partnerships with the Global South, India can set norms for responsible AI development. We can demonstrate that a nation need not be the wealthiest to lead in technology, but only the most determined and wisest.
However, technology is not only about power. It is also about dignity in everyday life. You can see that in our hospitals and clinics, where more and more equipment is now designed and made in India. You can see it in digital health platforms that let a patient in a remote village consult a good doctor without travelling for hours. In this context, India’s healthcare market is poised to reach ₹650 billion by 2025. Our medical technology industry is projected to grow to $50 billion by 2030, making India a global leader in affordable, innovative healthcare. Similarly, you can see it in how quickly our digital payment systems like UPI have become part of daily life, from big cities to tiny kirana shops.
Our defence sector tells a similar story. We are slowly moving from buying to building. Our soldiers are increasingly equipped with systems and platforms that have been designed and produced in India. We are also bringing modern technologies like AI and advanced computing into our security apparatus. We have developed indigenous missiles like Agni-V, supersonic cruise missiles like BrahMos (which can be launched from land, sea, or air), advanced fighter jets like Tejas, and nuclear submarines like Arihant. Now, we are embedding AI and robotics throughout this ecosystem. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed over 75 AI products for defence applications. Additionally, we have deployed 140 AI-based surveillance systems at our borders, providing real-time intelligence and reducing human surveillance burden. This shows that the Indian establishment is serious about the defence needs of India.
What gives me the most hope, though, is the people. When I meet young founders, researchers and students across India, I see an attitude that was far rarer in earlier generations. They are not satisfied with just copying what others have done. They want to create. They are not awed by big foreign names in the same way. They see them as competitors, sometimes as partners, but not as untouchable gods. To support them, the government has structured the ecosystem to enable this. Through the Startup India program, over 90,000 startups have received formal recognition. This will get further strengthened with time as AI is making things possible for us.
However, it is also important to acknowledge that technology and innovation will not solve every problem by themselves. But on this 77th Republic Day, when we watch the parade, the marching contingents, the tableaux from different states, and the flypast in the Delhi sky, it is worth remembering that the story of India is still being written. In our research labs, in our startups, in our universities, in our defence corridors, in our hospitals and classrooms, people are working every day to make Atmanirbhar Bharat a lived reality, not just a phrase. If there is one feeling I carry this Republic Day, it is this: “the world is finally beginning to see what India can do.” Now it is up to us to make sure we do not stop halfway.
