India’s post-independence journey in science and technology has been a deliberate and systematic pursuit of strategic autonomy. Rather than relying on external powers for critical capabilities, the nation embarked on a long-term strategy to develop indigenous expertise in sectors vital to its sovereignty and development. This strategy has been built upon two foundational pillars: a comprehensive nuclear programme and an advanced space and missile programme. Together, these domains represent the pinnacle of India’s technological achievements, serving dual purposes of national development and security.

This review provides an objective, data-driven assessment of these capabilities, designed for professionals in the technology and defence sectors who require a clear understanding of India’s strategic landscape. The analysis synthesizes key data points on infrastructure, organizational frameworks, and technological milestones to present a holistic picture of the nation’s progress. The review will first examine the extensive nuclear infrastructure before moving to the interconnected ecosystem of space exploration and defence missile systems.