Abstract
108 years ago Sir JC Bose did his legendry experiments at Kolkata at 50 GHz. Most of the subsequent work on microwaves and millimeter waves in India was done during the last 40 years. National Atomic Energy, Space and Defence R & D programmes have provided the thrust and mission orientation to the related developments. Matching inputs for research and education have been provided by several national level institutions. Most of the industrial production in the related high-tech areas is confined to Public Sector Units. Involvement of private sector has also occurred but mostly through the use of CKD and SKD kits. India is self-reliant in the front line areas of radars, communication transponders for satellites and related system engineering and technologies. Almost no base exists for required components and devices. The paper reviews the growth of microwave and millimeter wave R & D activities in India, particularly during the last 40 years and identifies future hopes and opportunities.