GS 3 – Science & Technology
CONTEXT:
- On August 15, 2025, India celebrated its 79th Independence Day.
- The article emphasizes that true independence today includes “technological independence”, not just political freedom.
- India faces serious vulnerabilities due to foreign dependence in areas like cloud services, AI, semiconductors, operating systems, and critical IT infrastructure.
KEY ISSUES HIGHLIGHTED:
- Digital Vulnerability
- Banks, power grids, defence systems, and communication infrastructures rely on foreign technology.
- Cloud and AI services controlled by foreign companies pose a strategic threat.
- Example cited: Recent shutdown of a cloud provider disrupted services in India.
- No Indigenous OS or Cloud Stack
- India lacks its own operating systems, databases, and secure software stacks.
- This forces India to rely on untrusted external services, risking data sovereignty.
- Dependence in Hardware & Semiconductors
- India’s semiconductor industry relies heavily on foreign design and fabrication.
- Absence of domestic fabs, design houses, and component supply chains leads to strategic vulnerability.
PATH TO TECHNOLOGICAL SOVEREIGNTY:
| Pillar | Required Action |
| Software Autonomy | Develop indigenous OS, cloud stack, secure software. |
| Open-Source Development | Use & support open-source models like Linux, Android, etc., but contribute actively to build Indian versions. |
| Hardware Sovereignty | Invest in semiconductor R&D, fabs, and supply chains. |
| Secure Tech for Critical Sectors | Create trusted systems for defence, banking, healthcare. |
| Create Indigenous Tech Teams | Product-style engineering teams to build, update & maintain Indian tech stacks. |
| Public–Private Partnerships (PPP) | Industry + Academia + Govt collaboration for R&D and deployment. |