Power Without Wires: Advancing KHz, MHz and Microwave Rectennas for Wireless Power Transfer with a Focus on India-Based R&D

Wireless power transfer (WPT) technologies are advancing rapidly, yet their development trajectories within specific regional contexts remain underexplored. This review synthesizes India's contributions to both near-field and far-field WPT research. We conducted a systematic literature survey spanning 2018-2024 to identify dominant technological themes, benchmark performance against global standards, and analyze innovation patterns within India's research ecosystem. The review reveals a consistent focus on robust, cost-effective, and context-appropriate designs across both domains. In near-field WPT, Indian research emphasizes misalignment-tolerant magnetic coupling and high-frequency power converters for applications including electric vehicle charging and biomedical implants. In far-field WPT, progress is evident in rectenna architectures that enhance angular coverage and efficiency, particularly for IoT networks. We consolidate quantitative performance metrics from the literature to establish reference benchmarks and delineate persistent research gaps. We propose a forward-looking research agenda aimed at aligning WPT innovation with India's sustainable development goals and energy accessibility challenges. This analysis provides a foundation for understanding how regional ecosystems shape technological priorities and offers insights for global WPT development.