India must independently develop key technologies: Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Sood

Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Professor Ajay Sood said that India must independently develop key technologies in areas such as semiconductor, AI, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing bioeconomy.

Laying emphasis on the importance of drones, he said that most drone components are imported.

Speaking at the 84^th Foundation Day of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Sood said, “If we take the example of anti-drone technologies we have seen how they make a difference in recent conflicts. We have a huge import dependence of components on drones. Production of components indigenously is important and high R&D is required to manufacture high end drones.”

He pointed out that for decades, India has depended on imports for systems, components, and standards for critical sectors such as semiconductors and advanced electronics. “So, this reliance on imported technology and components has exposed vulnerabilities in our supply chain and limited our strategic autonomy. This is more so in the current geopolitical scene and who are your friends. However, this is changing in the current government,” he said.

Sood said that India should come up with its own specifications in electronics.

“India has 10-15% of the design workforce. India should be able to make the specifications of its own and then design and manufacture. Right now, mostly our designs are on somebody else’s specifications. Design is very important in electronics,” he said.

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Vice President CSIR, Dr Jitendra Singh said technology sovereignty will determine geopolitical sovereignty in the times to come.

He said India must consciously build its strength in emerging technologies if it is to remain competitive globally.