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Introduction

For much of the past two decades, India's contribution to the global technology economy was defined by software services and consumer internet platforms, which is a model that built enormous wealth and made the country the world's third-largest startup ecosystem.

That story is changing. More than ever before, the best received pitches in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai are for rocket propulsion, semiconductor design, and autonomous hardware, not apps. And this isn't just a style choice of what gets funded. It's the real concentration of money, people, and political support around "deep tech" ventures based on frontier science and engineering breakthroughs as opposed to incremental software work.

The Data Behind the Narrative

The scale of this shift is now visible in hard numbers. In fact, Indian deeptech companies cumulatively raised $11.4 billion in funding between 2015 and mid-2026, according to the Bharat Deep Tech Report 2026 published by the Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA). 2025 was a record year for Indian deeptech firms, which saw a total raise of $2.96 billion across 189 deals, despite a slowdown in funding in the Indian startup ecosystem overall. Analytically speaking, here is what that reveals: investors haven't just raised the tide with the roadmap; they have explicitly taken a far-flung sector-specific decision to reallocate the capital and instead pursue science-and-engineering-led startups, even when pulling back elsewhere.

That very same report further pointed out that over 85% of all the deeptech funding raised in India since 2015 was obtained in the last six years, suggesting that the sector has only very recently come of age and matured from doing mostly early proof-of-concept experiments to delivering products that have undergone verifiable commercialisation. Of all the capital, funding and deals raised, AI and generative AI, followed by electric vehicles and battery technology, were the highest in terms of both dollars and the number of deals, while semiconductors and space tech were identified as the fastest-growing industrial segments and areas of research, consistent with India's national aspirations around technological self-sufficiency. When it comes to the distribution of deals and funding across India, the report found that Bengaluru on its own accounts for nearly 50%, with the rest of the country grabbing less than half. 

Space as the Sector's Proof Point

If any single industry illustrates the credibility of India's hardware pivot, it is private space. Skyroot Aerospace's trajectory offers a useful case study. In May 2026, the Hyderabad-based launch vehicle company raised approximately $60 million in a round co-led by Sherpalo Ventures and GIC, with participation from BlackRock-managed funds, Arkam Ventures, and the Shanghvi Family Office, pushing its valuation to $1.1 billion and making it India's first space-tech unicorn. The round is notable not just for its size but for its composition: sovereign wealth capital (GIC) and global asset managers (BlackRock) backing a hardware company whose Vikram-1 rocket is roughly 95% indigenously built and expected to draw significant demand from the global telecommunications sector, with around 90% of Skyroot's customers based outside India. That the company's valuation nearly doubled in about thirty months also suggests investors are pricing in execution risk more favourably than in earlier cycles, when Indian hardware ventures were often viewed as uninvestable relative to their software counterparts.

This is not the only data point. Alongside Skyroot, companies including Agnikul Cosmos, Dhruva Space, Pixxel and Digantara are working on propulsion, satellite platforms and orbital-debris-tracking technology. Even if all of the Indian space startups do not go on to become businesses on the scale of ISRO, the existence of so many private-sector firms working on these goods and services shows the ecosystem in India is maturing. India's private space startup ecosystem lines up with broader sector reporting that India's private space startup ecosystem is approaching 440 companies as the private-sector push gathers speed through 2026.

Policy Architecture and Patient Capital

A defining characteristic of deeptech like the long R&D cycles, capital-heavy prototyping, and complex regulation makes deeptech firms structurally different from software startups, and Indian policymakers seem to be acknowledging as much. In April 2026, the government announced the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0, creating a corpus of 10,000 crores to acquire commitments to Alternative Investment Funds, with a focus on deeptech, technology-focused manufacturing and early-growth-stage companies. The intention here, as was articulated, was to increase the supply of institutional capital for companies that diverge from software-investing norms. This complements the operational R & D and Innovation (RDI) Scheme and the India Semiconductor Mission, creating a multilayer public-capital framework for deeptech commercialisation.

Yet the same IVCA survey data complicates any triumphalist reading. Despite these schemes, 40% of surveyed venture funds reported having never engaged with any government capital vehicle, pointing to a persistent gap between policy design and on-the-ground fund utilisation. More critically, the survey identified a structural weak point in the financing pipeline: fund participation drops sharply at the Series B/C stage, with fewer investors able to write larger cheques to growth-stage companies.

Perhaps the single biggest limiting factor for the long term of deeptech in India. Spotting and encouraging deeptech entrepreneurs has definitely begun, but long-term success hinges on an ecosystem that can finance deeptech innovators through the critical scale-up phase – larger-ticket funds that many deeptech firms need to grow from a proof of concept into full-scale commercial products globally. Traditionally, Indian hardware startups have been quickly sold off or listed in foreign markets.

The exit environment reflects this immaturity. IVCA data shows 62% of funds cited exit visibility as their primary challenge, with secondary transactions accounting for 56% of all exits in the period studied, which is a signal that public-market exits (IPOs) remain the exception rather than the rule for deep-tech companies, unlike in India's more established software and fintech sectors.

An Analytical Assessment

Overall, the body of data confirms a measured yet real read on structural change rather than hype about cycles. How funding has focused on AI, semiconductors and spacetech; how some credible unicorns were born using homegrown hardware (like Skyroot); how policy and a fund-of-funds ecosystem were purposefully built – these all led, in Rajat Tandon's words, "from promise to more investible commitments, with an increasingly institutionalised ecosystem play".

However, three analytical caveats temper the enthusiasm. First, India's deep tech capital base,  while growing rapidly in percentage terms, remains small in absolute terms relative to the United States and China, and much of it is still concentrated in early rounds rather than growth-stage financing. Second, geographic concentration in Bengaluru risks under-leveraging engineering talent elsewhere in the country. Third, and most consequentially, cross-border regulatory friction, export controls, dual-use technology restrictions, and the need for internationally recognised IP protection remains a binding constraint for hardware ventures seeking to scale beyond the domestic market, a challenge that policy alone cannot resolve.

Conclusion

India's transition from software exporter to deep-tech engineer is therefore real, measurable, and policy-supported, but it is a transition still in its early-to-middle innings, dependent on whether growth-stage capital and international market access can keep pace with early-stage enthusiasm and government intent.

Sources

1. YourStory — Indian deeptech investments reach $11.4B: Report
2. Outlook Business — India's Deeptech Funding Crosses $11 Bn As Investors Turn To AI, Semiconductors
3. Business Standard — Over 85% of India's deeptech funding raised in past six years: IVCA
4. The Week — Skyroot Aerospace becomes India's first space tech unicorn
5. Outlook Business — Skyroot Aerospace Reaches Unicorn Orbit as Vikram-1 Launch Countdown Begins
6. SatelliteToday — Skyroot Secures $60M in Funding, Becoming India's First Space 'Unicorn'
7. Convergence Now — India's Startup Funding Map: AI, Sustainability & Deeptech Leading the Next Wave
8. Seafund — DeepTech Startups in India: Funding & Innovation 2026
9. YourStory (original reference article) — From software to satellites: Why India's next venture opportunity lies in deeptech

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Introduction

In an alarming event, one of India’s premier healthcare institutes, AIIMS Delhi, has fallen victim to a malicious cyberattack for the second time in the year. The Incident serves as a clear-cut reminder of the escalating threat landscape faced by the healthcare organisation in this digital age. In the attack, which unfolded with grave implications, the attackers not only explored the vulnerabilities present in the healthcare sector, but this also raised the concern about the security of patient data and the uninterrupted delivery of critical healthcare services. In this blog post, we will explore the incident, what happened, and what safety measures can be taken.

Backdrop

The cyber-security systems deployed in AIIMS, New Delhi, recently detected a malware attack. The nature and scope of the attack were both sophisticated and targeted. This second hack acts as a wake-up call for healthcare organisations nationwide. As the healthcare business increasingly depends on digital technology to improve patient care and operational efficiency, cybersecurity must be prioritised to protect sensitive data. To minimise cyber-attack dangers, healthcare organisations must invest in robust defences such as multi-factor authentication, network security, frequent system upgrades, and employee training.

The attempt was successfully prevented, and the deployed cyber-security systems neutralised the threat. The e-Hospital services remain to be fully secure and are functioning normally.

Impact on AIIMS

Healthcare services have been under hackers’ radar worldwide, and the healthcare sector has been impacted badly. The attack on AIIMS Delhi’s effects has been both immediate and far-reaching. The organisation, which is recognised for delivering excellent healthcare services and performing breakthrough medical research, faced significant interruptions in its everyday operations. Patient care and treatment processes were considerably impeded, resulting in delays, cancellations, and the inability to access essential medical documents. The stolen data raises serious concerns about patient privacy and confidentiality, raising doubts about the institution’s capacity to protect sensitive information. Furthermore, the financial ramifications of the assault, such as the cost of recovery, deploying more robust cybersecurity measures, and potential legal penalties and forensic analyses, contribute to the scale of the effect. The event has also generated public concerns about the institution’s ability to preserve personal information, undermining confidence and degrading AIIMS Delhi’s image.

Impact on Patients: The attacks not only impact the institutes but also have serious implications for the patients and here are some key highlights:

Healthcare Service Disruption: The hack has affected the seamless delivery of healthcare services at AIIMS Delhi. Appointments, surgeries, and other medical treatments may be delayed, cancelled, or rescheduled. This disturbance can result in longer wait times, longer treatment periods, and potential problems from delayed or interrupted therapy.

Patient Privacy and Confidentiality are jeopardised because of the breach of sensitive patient data. Medical data, test findings, and treatment plans may have been compromised. This breach may diminish patient faith in the institution’s capacity to safeguard their personal information, discouraging them from seeking care or submitting sensitive information in the future.

As a result of the cyberattack, patients may endure mental anguish and worry. Fear of possible exploitation of personal health information, confusion about the scope of the breach, and concerns about the security of their healthcare data can all have a negative impact on their mental health. This stress might aggravate pre-existing medical issues and impede total recovery.

Trust at stake: A data breach may harm patients’ faith and confidence in AIIMS Delhi and the healthcare system. Patients rely on healthcare facilities to keep their information secure and confidential while providing safe, high-quality care. A hack can doubt the institution’s ability to safeguard patient data, affecting patients’ overall faith in the organisation and potentially leading to patients seeking care elsewhere.

Cybersecurity Measures

To avoid future hacks and protect patient data, AIIMS Delhi must prioritize enhancing its cybersecurity procedures. The institution can strengthen its resistance to changing threats by establishing strong security practices. The following steps can be considered.

Using Multi-factor Authentication: By forcing users to submit several forms of identity to access systems and data, multi-factor authentication offers an extra layer of protection. AIIMS Delhi may considerably lower the danger of unauthorised access by applying this precaution, even in the case of leaked passwords or credentials. Biometrics and one-time passwords, for example, should be integrated into the institution’s authentication systems.

Improving Network Security and Firewalls: AIIMS Delhi should improve network security by implementing strong firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and network segmentation. These techniques serve to construct barriers between internal systems and external threats, reducing attackers’ lateral movement within the network. Regular network traffic monitoring and analysis can assist in recognising and mitigating any security breaches.

Risk Assessment: Regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments are required to uncover possible flaws and vulnerabilities in AIIMS Delhi’s systems and infrastructure. Security professionals can detect vulnerabilities and offer remedial solutions by carrying out controlled simulated assaults. This proactive strategy assists in identifying and addressing any security flaws before attackers exploit them.

Educating and training Healthcare Professionals: Education and training have a crucial role in enhancing cybersecurity practices in healthcare facilities. Healthcare workers, including physicians, nurses, administrators, and support staff, must be well-informed about the importance of cybersecurity and trained in risk-mitigation best practices. This will empower healthcare professionals to actively contribute to protecting the patient’s data and maintaining the trust and confidence of patients.

Learnings from Incidents

AIIMS Delhi should embrace cyber-attacks as learning opportunities to strengthen its security posture. Following each event, a detailed post-incident study should be performed to identify areas for improvement, update security policies and procedures, and improve employee training programs. This iterative strategy contributes to the institution’s overall resilience and preparation for future cyber-attacks. AIIMS Delhi can effectively respond to cyber incidents, minimise the impact on operations, and protect patient data by establishing an effective incident response and recovery plan, implementing data backup and recovery mechanisms, conducting forensic analysis, and promoting open communication. Proactive measures, constant review, and regular revisions to incident response plans are critical for staying ahead of developing cyber threats and ensuring the institution’s resilience in the face of potential future assaults.

Conclusion

To summarise, developing robust healthcare systems in the digital era is a key challenge that healthcare organisations must prioritise. Healthcare organisations can secure patient data, assure the continuation of key services, and maintain patients’ trust and confidence by adopting comprehensive cybersecurity measures, building incident response plans, training healthcare personnel, and cultivating a security culture. Adopting a proactive and holistic strategy for cybersecurity is critical to developing a healthcare system capable of withstanding and successfully responding to digital-age problems.

Introduction

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Cyberwarfare has evolved into one of the most decisive instruments of statecraft and conflict. The increasing digitisation of critical infrastructure like power grids, water systems, transportation systems, healthcare networks, and energy sources has made these systems new targets in the war of algorithms. Military logic is evolving to paralyse the nation’s critical infrastructure to keep its resources engaged in repairing them and thereby break the nation’s ability to deter and counter attacks, all without firing a single bullet. 

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From Ransomware to an Invisible Sabotage: The changing nature of warfare

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The operational technology (OT) landscape has become the epicentre of cyber operations, all around the world. Once, which was insulated, related to industrial systems that controlled turbines, pipelines, or dams, they now stand connected to the Internet through supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and the Internet of Things. These connections have also become gateways for attackers, besides enhancing the efficiency of the infrastructural lifelines of the nation.   

Groups like Volt Typhoon, Sandworm, Laurionite, and Cyberavengers have transformed the art of digital infiltration into a strategic shift. Volt Typhoon, which is linked to China, has used “living-off-the-land” techniques to exploit the legitimate administrative tools to remain invisible while scanning the critical infrastructures in the US. Sandworm, which is aligned with Russia’s GRU (Glavnoye Razvedyvatelnoye Upravlenie) or Main Intelligence Directorate (in English), has demonstrated the power of cyber sabotage in real time, as its attacks on Ukraine’s power grids in 2015 and 2021 had left millions in darkness, coinciding with kinetic missile strikes. Meanwhile, the Iranian-affiliated Cyberavengers group, which has weaponised the AI-assisted malware, such as IOCONTROL, that are capable of hijacking water and energy control systems. Each of these systems used in these operations reflects a shift from direct espionage activities to a state of strategic paralysis. 

In comparison to the traditional cybercrime activities that are aimed at stealing data and extortion of money, these campaigns repeatedly target the physical systems, which consist of the machinery that sustains civilian life and military preparedness.  

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The Military Logic behind Cyber Targeting: A Web of Vulnerabilities 

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A critical infrastructure is a complex ecosystem that covers power generation, transportation, communication, and manufacturing are all interconnected, which means a single compromised node can cascade into a national paralysis. For instance, a breach in the systems of the dam can flood an entire city, a grid shutdown can halt water supply to hospitals, and even affect air traffic. The 2015 Black Energy Malware attack in Ukraine has proved this possibility when three utilities were hacked, plunging thousands of homes into darkness. The Iranian hackers once again gained access to the Bowman Avenue Dam of New York and controlled its floodgates, which gave a chilling demonstration of the destructive reality of digital manipulation. 

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The systems remain vulnerable mainly for 3 reasons such as- 

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• Legacy Architectures: Many of these industrial systems were designed decades ago with no built-in cybersecurity mechanisms. 
• Slow Patching and Segmentation Gaps: All updates and segmentation between IT and TO networks often lag, providing open entry points for attackers. 
• Converging with IoT: The integration of smart sensors and cloud-based management tools has expanded the attack surface exponentially. 

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This interconnected fragility has turned our critical infrastructures into both a weapon and a target or a tool for coercion in modern hybrid warfare. Between 2023 and 2024, over 420 cyberattacks were witnessed in several critical global infrastructures, which averaged to 13 attacks per second, according to a news report. These were not just random acts of digital vandalism; they were deliberate and coordinated operational attempts by state-led actors from China, Russia, and Iran. 

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Developing a new Resilience as the new tool of Deterrence 

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Cyber deterrence no longer rests on the fear of retaliation, it relies on the need for resilience. Nations that can absorb attacks, maintain continuity, and recover rapidly would be the true superpowers of this digital age. Segmentation, real-time threat detection, and AI-assisted recovery models are vital pillars of this model of resilience. The logic of modern cyberwarfare is clear, which means that the more a nation digitizes, the more it will need to defend itself. 

However, as the line between war and peace blurs, safeguarding critical infrastructure is no longer just an IT priority; rather, it is a national security doctrine. In this silent theatre of cyberwarfare, survival will depend not only on firepower, but on firewalls. 

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References

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• https://rmcglobal.com/critical-infrastructure-under-siege-the-top-ot-threats-of-2025/
• https://ccdcoe.org/uploads/2018/10/Geers2009_The-Cyber-Threat-to-National-Critical-Infrastructures.pdf
• https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335752979_Cybersecurity_of_Critical_Infrastructure 
• https://arxiv.org/html/2510.04118v1 ‍
• https://www.anapaya.net/blog/top-5-critical-infrastructure-cyberattacks