A Deeper Impact with Deeptech

● Union Budget bets big on AI research, deeptech & GCCs

- SUDHIR CHOWDHARY

IT WAS INEVITABLE and it was necessary. At a time when the world's superpowers wage an AI war, the DeepSeek announcement came as a real shocker to India, despite its massive talent pool, burgeoning tech sector and growing digital ecosystem.

After all, AI is not merely a tool for convenience but a transformative force that will shape industries and solve critical challenges.

In this backdrop, the Union Budget's message is loud and clear: Let's not miss the bus. This year's fiscal exercise has reinforced India's ambition to emerge as a global technology powerhouse by driving AI, deep tech, and cutting-edge research. To begin with, the India AI mission has seen an allocation of ₹2,000 crore, the endeavor being to strengthen the AI ecosystem and build a low-cost foundation model.

Other than that, several significant initiatives have been unveiled that present encouraging prospects for the technology and digital infrastructure sector. Industry leaders view them as a bold blueprint for a stronger Digital India, prioritizing technology-led development, AI-driven modernization, and inclusive economic growth.

"There is no doubt AI has the potential to transform every sector of the Indian society, from boardrooms to classrooms, commerce to communities, and finance to farmers. It is heartening to see the government's vision of building Viksit Bharat by 2047 with AI and technology," said Puneet Chandok, president, Microsoft India & South Asia.