India’s neurotechnology ecosystem shows clear signs of maturing. Neurotechnology encompasses hardware, software, or artificial intelligence (AI)-integrated systems that image, record, or influence brain and neural activity, ranging from non-invasive diagnostic wearables and digital therapeutics to high-precision brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). This year’s highlight was Templefounded by Deepinder Goyal, which raised a massive US$54 million seed round. The device is a temple-worn wearable that tracks cerebral blood flow and provides users with personalised insights into brain health.
Beyond Temple, India’s domestic landscape, which currently spans 15 to 20 early-stage ventures across non-invasive neuromodulation, diagnostics, and clinical decision support, is also gaining noticeable traction. This maturation culminated in the launch of the US$1 billion Ādi Neuroscience Fund in August 2026 by SPEC Finance, based in GIFT City.
Neurotechnology is more than another frontier technology or a scientific pursuit. It should be seen as a vital macroeconomic and demographic imperative. India faces an escalating health burden–an estimated 9 million elderly citizens are living with dementia. Further, increased incidence of stroke in young Indians presents a critical challenge, along with other neurodegenerative disorders and headache disorders. Localised and affordable neurotech offers a scalable path to expand end-to-end healthcare access in non-metropolitan regions, boost foundational R&D capabilities, and capture a significant share of India’s medical device market, which is projected to reach US$30 billion by 2030.
Neurotechnology is more than another frontier technology or a scientific pursuit. It should be seen as a vital macroeconomic and demographic imperative.
India, however, is far from alone in prioritising the cognitive frontier. The United States has anchored its sovereign capabilities through long-term programmes such as the multi-billion-dollar National Institutes of Health (NIH) Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiativewhich funds federated data architectures and foundational neurological and biomedical research pillars. Concurrently, China has accelerated its neurotech ambitions through targeted industrial policy and investmentsrecently achieving major milestones such as the clinical deployment and regulatory approval of the NEO implanta homegrown wireless BCI system developed at Tsinghua University.
Consumer Neurotech as a Macroeconomic Opportunity
Beyond niche medical devices, the broader neurotech sector is projected to reach approximately US$66.81 billion by 2035driven by the increased adoption of wellness technology and next-generation wearables. These wearables are evolving from simple meditation headbands into sophisticated platforms equipped with smart, high-fidelity sensors capable of continuous biometric tracking.
By mapping real-time neural telemetry alongside whole-body diagnostics, these platforms can deliver unprecedented, personalised lifestyle interventions. The advantage here is that instead of generic health advice, users can receive dynamic dietary planning, precise sleep optimisation protocols, and predictive lifestyle suggestions tailored to their real-time physiological and cognitive states. Rapid advances in intelligent edge processors and specialised neural accelerators are catalysing the move of neurotechnology from the clinical laboratory to the everyday consumer. Historically, analysing complex, high-dimensional neural data required massive cloud computing power, which introduced severe latency issues and profound privacy risks regarding sensitive biological information. Specialised Neural Processing Units (NPUs) fundamentally solve this bottleneck by executing complex AI workloads directly on the wearable device; Edge AI ensures that sensitive brain data is analysed locally and instantaneously, without ever being transmitted to external cloud servers.
Rapid advances in intelligent edge processors and specialised neural accelerators are catalysing the move of neurotechnology from the clinical laboratory to the everyday consumer.
The Military and Strategic Applications of Neurotechnology
Another transformative leap is the integration of neurotech with robotics and semi-autonomous systems. The rapid growth of AI and industrial automation, from remote-controlled manufacturing equipment to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drone fleets, is fundamentally enhancing the nature of human-machine interfaces (HMI). Operating such systems requires operators to process complex, real-time sensor data, make rapid decisions in dynamic environments, and maintain incredibly high levels of executive function and cognitive endurance. Cognitive load, however, may prevent operators from always making the most beneficial decisions, especially in high-stakes situations.
To address these severe cognitive demands, neurotechnology is being actively incorporated into human-machine interfaces to enable ‘cognitive co-evolution,’ in which artificial systems are designed to adapt to the human operator’s variables, not the other way round. By utilising wearable neurotechnology such as portable electroencephalography (EEG) and advanced biometric sensors, systems can monitor and learn from an operator’s real-time cognitive load, stress responsesand learning patterns. This high-fidelity neural telemetry allows training simulators and operational systems to adjust task difficulty dynamically, providing support when an operator is overwhelmed.
By utilising wearable neurotechnology such as portable electroencephalography (EEG) and advanced biometric sensors, systems can monitor and learn from an operator’s real-time cognitive load, stress responses, and learning patterns.
For example, the US Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM, recently highlighted new research on autonomous capabilities designed to improve soldier-autonomous teaming. This included research on enhancing soldier-robot interaction, allowing for minimal latency in operational planning and execution. For instance, multi-agent systems teams that work hybridly on the ground and in the air with significant autonomy can take over substantial parts of an operation if the system senses that the soldier is overwhelmed or distracted.
The Way Forward
India’s neurotechnology ecosystem has significant potential, but realising it will require moving beyond early-stage venture activity towards deeper scientific, manufacturing, and institutional capability. The sector has historically depended on imported microelectronics and specialised components. Initiatives such as the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0Design-Linked Incentive scheme, and the draft National Deep Tech Startup Policy provide important foundations. However, these broad instruments will need to be complemented by a long-term, neurotechnology-specific roadmap that links research, hardware design, clinical validation, manufacturing, and responsible deployment.
The roadmap should distinguish between three connected domains: consumer and industrial applications. medical and health technologies; and strategic and national-security applications. A cross-ministerial Neurotechnology Taskforce, convened by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser in partnership with NITI Aayog, could bring together researchers, clinicians, industry, regulators, and defence experts to identify priority capabilities, monitor emerging security and ethical risks, and recommend time-bound action.
The roadmap should distinguish between three connected domains: consumer and industrial applications. medical and health technologies; and strategic and national-security applications.
This is increasingly important because neurotechnology will intersect with AI, semiconductors, cyber systems and advanced sensing, raising questions of supply-chain resilience, dual-use technology, data security and potential misuse. India should therefore use forums such as the Quad and BRICS (BRICS Neuroscience Symposiums) to encourage discussion on responsible military and dual-use applications, including safeguards against coercive neural surveillance, unsafe efforts for human enhancement and the misuse of sensitive domestic capabilities.
Ishita Deshmukh is a Research Assistant at Observer Research Foundation.
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Source: www.orfonline.org
