The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the constitution of an empowered Technology Group.
The 12-member group will have the Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India as its Chair.
The group is mandated to render timely policy advice on latest technologies; mapping of technology and technology products; commercialisation of dual use technologies developed in national laboratories and government research and development (R&D) organisations; developing an indigenisation road map for selected key technologies; and selection of appropriate R&D programs leading to technology development.
The Technology Group will render advice on technology to be developed for a supplier as also the procurement strategy; develop in-house expertise in aspects of policy and use of emerging technologies; and ensure sustainability of public sector technology developed/being developed at PSUs, national labs and research organisations.
The three pillars of the work of the Technology Group include - policy support; procurement support; and support on R&D proposals.
The move aims to ensure having appropriate policies and strategies in place for effective, secure and context-sensitive exploitation of the latest technologies for economic growth and sustainable development of the industry, in all sectors. The group intends to advise the government on priorities and strategies for research on emerging technologies across sectors; to maintain an updated map of technology and products available, and being developed, across India.
The group also aims to develop indigenisation roadmap for selected key technologies and advise the government on its technology supplier and procurement strategy; to encourage all ministries and departments as well as State Governments to develop in-house expertise in policy and use aspects of emerging technologies such as data science and artificial intelligence.