India’s Technology Transformation

Source: PIB
GS III: Indigenisation of Technology and Developing New Technology

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. Key Drivers of India’s Tech Ecosystem
3. India’s Global Technology Leadership

Why in the News?

Press Information Bureau highlighted India’s emergence as a global technology power through advancements in AI, semiconductors, quantum technologies, biotechnology, and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

News in Brief

• India is emerging as a global technology and innovation hub through indigenous capabilities in frontier technologies.
• Digital India, research investments, startup support, skilling initiatives, and advanced infrastructure are driving future  readiness.
• Trusted digital governance and international technology partnerships are strengthening India’s role in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Key Drivers of India’s Tech Ecosystem

Digital India: Foundation of Technological Transformation

• Key Contributions
  • Expansion of digital infrastructure and high-speed connectivity.
  • Improved internet access across urban and rural areas.
  • Affordable data enabling widespread digital adoption.
  • Growth of digital services such as e-governance, telemedicine, online education, digital payments, and e-commerce.
• Significance
  • Created a large digital user-base.
  • Enabled innovation, entrepreneurship, and startup growth.
  • Strengthened the foundation for emerging technologies.

Supercomputing and High-Performance Computing

• National Supercomputing Mission
  • Promotes indigenous supercomputing capabilities.
  • Development of domestically designed supercomputers.
  • Supports advanced scientific research and innovation.
• Applications
  • Weather forecasting
  • Climate modelling
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Drug discovery and healthcare research

Building a Semiconductor Ecosystem

• Objectives
  • Promotes semiconductor manufacturing and chip design
  • Develop packaging, testing, and fabrication capabilities.
  • Strengthen domestic value addition in electronics.
• Importance
  • Reduces import dependence
  • Enhances technological self-reliance
  • Integrates India into global semiconductor supply chains.

Advancing Quantum Technologies

• National Quantum Mission
  • Focuses on
    • Quantum computing
    • Quantum communication
    • Quantum Sensing and Metrology
    • Quantum Materials and Devices
• Significance
  • Enables secure communication systems
  • Strengthens strategic and defence capabilities.
  • Supports advanced scientific and industrial applications

India’s  AI Transformation

• IndiaAI Mission
  • Focus areas include Indigenous AI infrastructure, Research and innovation, startup development, skill development, responsible and inclusive AI.
• Importance
  • Expands access to AI tools and computing resources.
  • Supports innovation across sectors.
  • Positions India as a trusted AI ecosystem.

Cloud Computing Ecosystem

• MeghRaj Initiative
  • Serves as the government’s cloud platform
  • Supports secure digital governance
  • Promotes data sovereignty and efficient service delivery.
• Benefits include scalability, cost efficiency, improved public service delivery, enhanced cybersecurity.

Blockchain for Trusted Governance

• National Blockchain Framework promote secure and transparent digital record management including
  • Property records
  • Judiciary records
  • Supply-Chain management
  • Document verification
• Benefits include Transparency, traceability, reduced fraud, improved trust in governance systems.

Data Centers: Backbone of the Digital Economy

• Significance
  • Support cloud services and AI applications
  • Enable secure storage and processing of digital data.
  • Strengthen Digital Public Infrastructure
• Benefits
  • Attract investment
  • Create skilled employment
  • Enhance technological self-reliance

Biotechnology: A New Growth Engine

• Key areas are Genomics, Precision therapeutics, Synthetic biology, Digital biotechnology.
• Government extended its support through
  • Biotechnology missions
  • Innovation schemes
  • Bio-Incubators
  • Research and Entrepreneurship support.
• Importance
  • Strengthen healthcare and food security
  • Promotes innovation-led economic growth.

Building Capacity, Education, Research and Skill

• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
• • Promote industry-academia collaboration
  • Support frontier technology research
  • Accelerate innovation and commercialization.
  • Areas include, Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors, Advanced materials, Deep technologies.
• Research Development and Innovation Scheme
  • Support long-term research financing
  • Promote private-sector innovation
  • Encourage deep-tech entrepreneurship
• FutureSkills PRIME
  • Focus areas include, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Big Data Analytics, AR/VR technologies.
  • Significance are skilling, reskilling, and upskilling workforce, and expanding opportunities beyond metropolitan cities.
• NIELIT
  • Technology education and skill development
  • Training in emerging digital technologies
  • Creating a geographically diverse talent pool.

India’s Global Technology Leadership

• Bharat 6G Alliance
  • Promote indigenous 6G research and development
  • Build next-generation communication technologies.
  • Foster collaboration among industry, academia, and government.
• Digital Public Infrastructure
  • Key platforms include Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, CoWIN, UMANG.
  • Significance
    • Inclusive digital governance
    • Efficient public service delivery
    • Global recognition of India’s digital model

Conclusion

India is strengthening its journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047 through innovation, self-reliance, digital infrastructure, emerging technologies, and skill development.

Key Takeaways

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding India’s emerging technology ecosystems

1. 1. The National Quantum Mission focuses on quantum computing, communication, sensing, and quantum materials.
   2. MeghRaj is India’s national cloud initiative for supporting digital governance.
   3. The National Blockchain Framework aims to promote secure and transparent digital record management.

Which of the above statements are correct?

a) 1,2, and 3

b)2and 3 only

c) 1and 2 only

d) 1 only

Answer: a) 1,2 and 3

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