Source: The post India builds strength through reform and innovation has been created, based on the article “An operation that was also about a self-reliant India” published in “The Hindu” on 27 May 2025. India builds strength through reform and innovation.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Growth and Development
Context: India has experienced a decade of major transformation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His vision focuses on making India a global economic, strategic, and technological power. The article outlines key reforms and strategic efforts that helped India become a resilient, self-reliant nation.
Industrial Resurgence and Manufacturing Push
- Shift in Manufacturing Strategy: The launch of Make in India in 2014 marked a decisive change. India aimed to become a core player in global manufacturing. Major reforms improved ease of doing business and encouraged investment.
- Boost through Incentives and Focus Areas: Production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes enhanced India’s appeal as a manufacturing hub. Sectors like electronics, defence, and automobiles received focused support.
- Self-Reliance through Atmanirbhar Bharat: The Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan in 2020 pushed this further. It aimed to make India a global hub in state-of-the-art manufacturing, focusing on defence, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals. These are not only economic sectors but also crucial for national security.
Rise of Innovation and Start-up Ecosystem
- Global Recognition in Start-ups: India is now the world’s third-largest start-up ecosystem. Start-ups in fintech, agritech, edtech, and health tech are solving local problems and competing globally.
- Strategic Tech Advancements: Start-ups contribute to defence tech, AI, cybersecurity, and space. These areas have strategic implications for India’s long-term capabilities.
- Partnerships for Technological Growth: Collaborations like the U.S.-India TRUST initiative and India-France roadmap are strengthening cooperation in AI, quantum, and defence technology.
Indigenous Defence Capability and Strategic Confidence
- Validation through Operation Sindoor: Operation Sindoor showed India’s capability to strike with precision using indigenous defence technologies. This was a result of long-term investment under Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- Surge in Defence Exports: India’s defence exports reached ₹23,622 crore in FY25, covering nearly 80 countries. The private sector contributed ₹15,233 crore, showing growing strength.
- From Importer to Exporter: India is moving from a dependent arms importer to a global exporter of defence equipment, reinforcing technological self-reliance.
Pursuit of Technology Leadership
- National Missions in Critical Areas: Government-led missions like the National Quantum Mission and India Semiconductor Mission, along with ISRO’s Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan, reflect India’s growing technological maturity.
- Role of Industry in Hi-tech Sectors: Industry is contributing to semiconductors, clean tech, mobility, defence, and electronics. It supports satellite launches and combat platform development.
- AI and Workforce Development: Through initiatives like Bhashini and FutureSkills Prime, industry is building India’s AI capabilities and training a skilled workforce.
Strengthening Industry’s Role in R&D and Collaboration
- Need for Greater Investment: The private sector must scale up R&D spending and form overseas partnerships to accelerate technological growth.
- Tripartite Collaborations: Industry should lead in linking academia and public research to foster innovation and generate trained engineers and scientists.
India’s Vision for Global Leadership
- A Nation Shaping the Future: India is no longer catching up; it is shaping the global order with resilience, innovation, and manufacturing power.
- Call to Action: The journey to Viksit Bharat requires stronger industry-government collaboration to build a secure, self-reliant, globally respected India.
Question for practice:
Examine how India’s strategic reforms under Prime Minister Modi have strengthened its position as a self-reliant and globally competitive nation.
