Context: Union Minister Piyush Goyal recently emphasised that India must transition from digital adoption to technological creation — aiming for deeptech-led sovereignty and reducing reliance on foreign technologies.
What is Technological Sovereignty?
Technological Sovereignty refers to a nation’s ability to develop and deploy its own technologies using indigenous infrastructure, ensuring autonomy in data, innovation, and strategic capabilities — a cornerstone of national sovereignty in the digital age.
India’s Dependence on Foreign Technology
- Electronics: Over 65% of chips and 80% of high-end components are imported (MeitY, 2024).
- Defence: About 60% of defence equipment depends on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (SIPRI, 2023).
- Renewables & EVs: 90% of solar wafers and 70% of lithium-ion cells come from China.
- Pharma Inputs: 68% of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) are still imported despite PLI efforts.
Consequences of Technological Dependence
- Economic Drain: High import bills widen the current account deficit — electronics imports exceeded $70 billion in 2024.
- Innovation Deficit: India holds less than 1% of global AI patents, reflecting limited indigenous innovation.
- Employment Loss: Deeptech manufacturing employs less than 2% of India’s tech workforce (NASSCOM, 2023).
- Digital Sovereignty Risks: Over 75% of India’s cloud infrastructure is managed by foreign firms (IDC, 2024), raising concerns over data autonomy and national security.
The Way Forward
1. Deeptech Push
Strengthen innovation in AI, quantum computing, space tech, and semiconductors.
- The ₹1 lakh crore Anusandhan Fund (2025) will accelerate deeptech R&D.
2. R&D Incentives
Raise national R&D expenditure (currently <1% of GDP) and provide tax benefits to private research.
- Learn from Israel’s Innovation Authority, which co-funds up to 50% of R&D costs.
3. Chip Independence
Expand the India Semiconductor Mission (2021) with $10 billion incentives for chip design, fabrication, and assembly units.
4. Building a Skilled Pipeline
Develop high-end skills in STEM, retain researchers, and strengthen global scientific collaboration.
- Initiatives like the VAIBHAV Summit and SERB Overseas Fellowships connect diaspora scientists with Indian research institutions.
5. Nurturing Deeptech Startups
Scale up Startup Fund of Funds 2.0 to support early-stage ventures focusing on AI, robotics, and clean tech through risk capital and mentorship.
Conclusion
India’s next leap lies not in importing innovation but in inventing the future. Achieving technological sovereignty will determine India’s strategic independence, global competitiveness, and its role as a deeptech leader of the 21st century.