Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s Minister for Electronics and IT, has challenged leading IT firms like Infosys, TCS, and Wipro to develop an indigenous mobile operating system. Speaking at the Dataquest India Digital Leadership Conclave on March 7, he emphasized the need for India to transition from a service-oriented IT industry to a product-driven ecosystem. The government has pledged full support for this initiative.
At the event, Minister Vaishnaw urged India’s top IT companies to shift their focus from services to product innovation by building a homegrown mobile operating system. He stated,
“The time has come when we must become a product nation. The government will support this fully.”
With the global digital ecosystem heavily reliant on foreign OS platforms like Android and iOS, India’s push for an indigenous OS could bolster digital sovereignty and reduce dependence on international tech giants.
India’s AI Boom and Government Initiatives
Highlighting AI’s role in India’s startup ecosystem, Vaishnaw revealed that:
✅ 80% of Indian startups are AI-powered
✅ Nearly 4 lakh AI professionals are engaged in various projects
✅ India is on track to become a global leader in AI innovation
This announcement follows the launch of key AI initiatives under the IndiaAI Mission:
- GPU Portal: Provides access to 14,000 GPUs for AI research and startups
- AI Kosha: A platform for non-personal datasets to fuel AI development
- Foundational AI Model: The government has received 67 applications for building India’s own AI model
Bridging the AI Talent Gap in Rural India
In a bid to nurture AI talent beyond urban hubs, the government has partnered with the industry to train one million people, focusing on rural areas and smaller towns. Vaishnaw emphasized that many talented individuals in these regions lack opportunities—a gap this initiative aims to bridge.
India’s Chipset Development Plans
Vaishnaw also provided updates on India’s indigenous chipset development. The government is actively consulting experts, and a Made-in-India chipset is expected to emerge within the next 3-4 years.
What This Means for India’s Tech Future
With a strong push towards:
🔹 A homegrown mobile OS
🔹 An AI-driven startup ecosystem
🔹 Semiconductor independence
India is setting the stage for technological self-reliance, reducing dependency on global tech giants while fostering innovation at home.
