The Nation’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, delivered an address to the citizens from the iconic Red Fort in New Delhi on the momentous occasion of the 77th Independence Day. In addition to highlighting the remarkable achievements that our proud Nation has accomplished during this incredible journey, he also shed light on the transformative changes witnessed in the technological landscape over the past decade. Moreover, he underscored the utmost importance of fostering a digitally empowered India.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi stressed the government’s policies supporting the youth and their significant contribution in making India the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. Moreover, he emphasized the importance of digital innovation in India and highlighted the remarkable transformation in the country’ digital landscape. Additionally, he commended the success of Digital India in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
During his recent visit to Bali for the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi acknowledged that world leaders inquired about the intricacies of India’s remarkable Digital India initiative. According to a news agency, he said that at last year’s G20 Summit in Bali, everyone, including developed nations, expressed a keen interest in understanding the triumphs of our digital public infrastructure.
‘I emphasized that India’s success is not limited to major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata, but also extends to tier-2 and tier-3 cities where young individuals are making significant contributions in various domains. These smallest cities of India, as well as our villages, possess an unwavering determination and conviction,’ he said.
Highlighting the diverse capabilities of India, he stated, ‘The country continues to make significant progress in various fields. With a focus on renewable energy and the exploration of hydrogen energy, India is making notable strides forward. Similarly, the nation’s achievements in space exploration are on the rise, complemented by successful deep-sea missions. Furthermore, India is enhancing connectivity through increased internet penetration across villages and embracing cutting-edge technology like quantum computers, cementing its position as a frontrunner.’
The Prime Minister recognized the pivotal role that technology plays in shaping the future. From ventures exploring outer space to deep-sea missions, Vande Bharat trains, electric buses, metro trains, rural access to the internet, and semiconductor manufacturing—we are actively working in every sector. India is relentlessly pursuing its goals. This government inaugurates the projects for which it lays the foundation. We set ambitious targets and strive to accomplish them.
Progress
The Digital India initiative was launched on July 01, 2015, by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with the objective of transforming India into a knowledge-based economy and a digitally empowered society. Its core focus is to ensure digital services, digital access, digital inclusion, digital empowerment, and bridging the digital divide.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in collaboration with various Ministries and Departments in both the Central and State Governments have been dedicatedly coordinating and running these programmes.
MeitY has also placed special emphasis on supporting startup industries, attracting investment in semiconductors, and strengthening the semiconductor ecosystem, quantum computing, and digital public infrastructure, among others.
Initiatives taken to promote technology-led startup-innovation ecosystem in the country:
- Technological Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs (TIDE 2.0): The initiative supports over 2000 technology startups, while also enhancing the capabilities of 51 carefully selected technology incubation centers to foster innovation and generate economic prosperity. Through this program, more than 920 startups have been enrolled across the various incubation centers.
- SAMRIDH Scheme: It supports existing and upcoming accelerators to select and accelerate potential product-based start-ups to scale. So far, 22 accelerators across 14 states and 12 cities have been supported under the SAMRIDH Scheme.
- A total of 42 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in diverse areas of national interest have been initiated for driving self-sufficiency and creating capabilities to capture new and emerging technology areas.
- A nodal entity to interconnect tech startup infrastructure pan India a ‘MeitY Start-up Hub’ (MSH) has been set up under MeitY as an Independent Business Division (IBD) with a consolidation of over 3365 startups, 482 incubators, 424 mentors which has successfully conducted 143 challenges in different technology areas encouraging the development of innovative products/services to address current and pressing challenges.
- The government has sanctioned a budget of 490 Cr for a period of 5 years to implement the ‘Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS)’ program. This initiative aims to discover, support, nurture, and ensure the success of startups in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
- BPO Promotion Scheme: Under the Schemes viz. North East BPO Promotion Scheme (NEBPS) and India BPO Promotion Scheme (IBPS), 246 units have setup BPO/ITES operations distributed around 100 small cities/towns covering 27 States/UTs of the country providing direct employment to over 52,000 persons.
- Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India:
- The government has approved the Modified Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India with an allocation of Rs. 76,000 crores.
- This initiative aims to promote and strengthen electronics manufacturing in the country while ensuring the growth of a sustainable Semiconductor and Display Ecosystem.
- Companies engaged in silicon semiconductor Fabs, Display Fabs, Compound Semiconductors/silicon photonics/sensors, semiconductor packaging, and semiconductor design will receive attractive incentive support as part of this program.
- Micron Technology Inc. Approved: To establish a semiconductor unit in India with a capital investment of Rs. 22,516 crore (2.75 billion dollars), which was approved on 14.06.2023. This manufacturing facility of Micron will engage in the production of DRAMs, Flash memories, and Solid-State Devices.
- Applied Materials Inc. has announced a planned investment of $400 Mn. to establish Collaborative Engineering Centre in Bangalore.
- Chips to Start-up (C2S) Programme: Under this program, a total of 103 organizations have been selected to receive chip design and fabrication support through the ChipIN Centre. Additionally, these organizations will also receive financial assistance for the next five years to design semiconductor chips for various applications. This initiative will contribute greatly to the development of the VLSI/Chip design field, with the potential to generate a skilled workforce of 85,000 individuals at the B.Tech, M.Tech, and Ph.D. levels.
- New curriculums launched: It is a major step towards the creation of a talent pool in the Semiconductor domain.
- India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and Purdue University Inked MoU: This initiative will enable collaboration for the development of skilled workforce (through curation of specific courses/ academic programs), specialized R&D programs, and collaboration for funding/ grants support.
- Lam Research, USA, Semiconductor Equipment Manufacture has announced to train 60,000 workforce in the next 10 years. Through its collaboration with Indian academic institutions, the Semiverse Solution virtual platform aims to enhance India’s semiconductor education and workforce development goals.
- MeitY and National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Collaboration: As part of a collaborative international research effort, the joint research program will be enhanced through the implementation of joint projects in various applied research fields, such as semiconductors, next-generation communication, cyber security, sustainability and green technologies, and intelligent transportation systems.
- Centre of Excellence in Quantum Technologies: Government focuses on the research and development of Quantum Computer and Quantum Cryptography. The government launched a quantum simulator (QSim) for the development of skills in Quantum programming of researchers/students/professionals. A Centre of Excellence in Quantum Technologies with a sophisticated infrastructure will provide impetus for the research in this niche technology area.
