PIB TrackerAI, quantum, biotech and space will shape future warfare, says the science minister
At the National Defence College, Dr Jitendra Singh argued that national security is being redefined by hi-tech 'convergence' technologies — and urged tighter fusion of civilian innovation with military needs as India shifts from defence importer to exporter.
What happened
- Union MoS (I/C) for Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said technology-driven warfare is redefining national security, in a special address at the National Defence College (NDC).
- He spoke on the 'Future Trajectory of Science & Technology and its Impact on National Security'.
- He argued the future of national security will be shaped by the convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Technologies, Biotechnology and Space capabilities, as warfare shifts from conventional combat to hi-tech strategic operations.
- He called for deeper integration of civilian innovation with military requirements — a civil-military fusion of technology.
- He highlighted India's transformation from a defence importer to an emerging defence exporter, with frontier S&T central to its future security architecture.
For Prelims
- Convergence technologies: AI, quantum, biotechnology and space are 'dual-use' frontier technologies increasingly central to defence — for autonomous systems, secure communications, sensing and surveillance.
- India's missions: The IndiaAI Mission, National Quantum Mission (2023), BioE3 Policy (2024) and space reforms (Indian Space Policy 2023, IN-SPACe) build the civilian base that feeds defence applications.
- Defence exports: India's defence exports have risen sharply (to record highs of around Rs 24,000 crore), aided by indigenisation and schemes like iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) and positive-indigenisation lists.
- Civil-military fusion: Leveraging start-ups, academia and private industry for defence (via iDEX, DRDO's Technology Development Fund, the Defence Industrial Corridors) — the 'integration' the minister urged.
- National Defence College (NDC): India's apex tri-service strategic-studies institution (New Delhi) for senior officers and civil servants.
- Emerging warfare domains: Cyber, electronic warfare, drones/autonomous systems and space are new domains; 'grey-zone' and hi-tech operations complement conventional forces.
- Don't confuse: These are dual-use technologies — civilian missions (AI/quantum/space) underpin defence applications; India is now a defence exporter, though still importing major platforms.
For UPSC: Dr Jitendra Singh framed future warfare around AI, quantum, biotech and space, urging civil-military tech fusion as India becomes a defence exporter. Anchor dual-use convergence technologies, India's missions (IndiaAI, National Quantum Mission, BioE3, space reforms), defence-export growth and iDEX/indigenisation lists, civil-military fusion, and emerging domains (cyber/EW/drones/space).
What it is NOT: This is a strategic-vision address on technology and security — not a new weapon or policy. The technologies cited (AI/quantum/biotech/space) are dual-use; India is an emerging defence exporter but still imports major platforms — exporter status is relative, not absolute.
For Mains
Syllabus: GS3.13 · GS3.12 · Linkage L2
Anchor
Technology as the new frontier of security — frontier science and civil-military fusion redefining defence capability.
Substantiation (data)
Dr Jitendra Singh at the NDC: future warfare shaped by AI, quantum, biotech and space; call for civil-military integration; India a defence exporter.
Exemplification
Cite IndiaAI, the National Quantum Mission, BioE3 and iDEX as examples of building a dual-use base that strengthens defence.
Problematisation
Low R&D spend, technology gaps, civil-military integration barriers, ethics/autonomy of AI weapons, and import dependence on major platforms remain challenges.
Way-forward
Deepen civil-military fusion (iDEX/start-ups), scale frontier-tech missions, build secure supply chains, and frame norms for AI/autonomous-systems use.
Position
Government stance: frontier S&T and civil-military fusion are central to India's future security and its rise as a defence exporter.
Deploys into: Emerging tech & national security (AI/quantum/biotech/space) · civil-military fusion (iDEX) & defence exports · frontier-tech missions · dual-use technology (GS3.13 IT/space/biotech & IPR, GS3.12 indigenisation & new technology).
Ministry of Science & Technology · 2026-06-25 · PRID 2277724 · PIB source ↗