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India's Defence R&D Below 1% GDP; US-India Undersea Cables & iDEX Framework Signal AI Geopolitics Shift

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GAPrelims MediumMains HighStatic GK Link
27 Feb 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:India's R&D expenditure below 1% of GDP
Bodies:DRDO
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What This Article Covers

1.AI is now a core component of modern warfare, integrating across land, sea, air, space, and the electromagnetic spectrum, making it a strategic geopolitical asset.

2.India's defence R&D spending is below 1% of GDP, while the US and China dominate AI defence spending and patenting.

3.India has established AI-focused centres in DRDO and the iDEX framework for startups, but needs a mission-mode National Defence AI programme with assured funding.

The Big Picture
Prelims · MediumMains · High

AI is now a critical geopolitical asset shaping national security, with control over data, computing, and algorithms determining 21st-century power. India's strategic initiatives like the iDEX framework and US-India undersea cables are promising, but its defence R&D spending remains below 1% of GDP, lagging behind US and China's dominance.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

India's R&D ExpenditureBelow 1% of GDP
Key Defence AI InitiativeiDEX Framework
Critical Strategic InfrastructureUS-India Undersea Data Cables

1-Minute Revision

  • ›India's R&D Expenditure: Below 1% of GDP
  • ›Key Defence AI Initiative: iDEX Framework
  • ›Target this Data: India's overall R&D expenditure remains below 1% of GDP.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has established AI-focused centres.
  • ›Target this Legal/Policy Point: The iDEX framework supports startups developing defence applications.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which Indian defence organisation has established AI-focused centres as mentioned in the article?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding AI in defence as discussed in the article:

1. AI applications such as autonomous systems and cyber defence are shaping India's strategic priorities.

2. The United States and China dominate global defence AI spending and patenting.

3. India's overall Research and Development (R&D) expenditure is above 2% of its GDP.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what is the approximate level of India's overall Research and Development (R&D) expenditure as a percentage of GDP?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary strategic implication of the undersea data cables being laid between the US and India, as highlighted in the article?

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