What's New :
SAMARTH – Daily Answer Writing Mentorship Programme
10th September 2025 (16 Topics)

Technological Sovereignty for India

You must be logged in to get greater insights.

Context:

India marked its 79th Independence Day (15th August 2025), highlighting the urgent need for technological independence to safeguard national security and digital autonomy.

Software Sovereignty

  • Dependence Risk: India lacks indigenous operating systems, databases, and foundational software, leaving it vulnerable to external control and disruptions in cloud or AI services.
  • Open-Source Potential: Open-source models such as Linux and Android provide a viable path to create safe, backdoor-free Indian versions of essential digital platforms.
  • Community Role: A large technology user base and professional collaboration are essential for building, maintaining, and updating secure home-grown software ecosystems.

Hardware Sovereignty

  • Structural Challenge: Achieving hardware sovereignty, especially in semiconductor fabrication, demands long-term investment in design, manufacturing, and supply chain infrastructure.
  • Focused Strategy: India should initially target specific hardware components, fostering expertise in chip design and assembly even if fabrication remains outsourced.
  • Collaborative Approach: Public-private partnerships and international cooperation can gradually strengthen India’s position in advanced hardware technologies.

The Way Forward

  • Mission-Oriented Plan: Establishing an implementation mission with skilled engineers and strong project management is vital to build self-sustaining technological ecosystems.
  • Business Model: Viable business models, outside sole government dependence, must ensure continuous development, updates, and financial sustainability of open-source systems.
  • National Resolve: A collective will, combining talent, institutions, and supportive policies, is essential for India’s long-term march toward technological independence.

Practice Question:

"Technological sovereignty is as vital as political sovereignty in the 21st century. Discuss the challenges and opportunities for India in achieving software and hardware independence, and suggest a policy roadmap."   (250 words)

Verifying, please be patient.

Enquire Now