This chapter covers the technologies that dominate today’s policy debates. Prelims asks for basic understanding — what a qubit is, how machine learning differs from deep learning, what a blockchain or edge computing does, what “ATMP” means in the chip industry. Mains GS III asks how India should govern AI, why semiconductor manufacturing matters for strategic autonomy, and how digital technologies affect jobs, privacy and inclusion.

Key sub-topics in this chapter

Sub-topic	What to know
Artificial intelligence	AI, machine learning, deep learning, generative AI; IndiaAI Mission (2024)
Quantum technology	Qubits, superposition, entanglement, quantum key distribution; National Quantum Mission (2023)
Semiconductors	Design, fabrication, ATMP/OSAT; India Semiconductor Mission (2021)
Telecom	5G (launched in India in October 2022), network slicing, 6G vision
Other digital technologies	Blockchain, IoT, cloud and edge computing, supercomputing
Governance	Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023; AI safety and deepfakes

For cyber security and communication networks, see the Internal Security subject.