India’s Manufacturing Challenge and Global Shift
Global manufacturing is moving toward high-tech, innovation-driven products.
This shift is powered by R&D, skilled workers, and complex supply chains.
U.S. tariffs are reshaping global trade, but India must focus on fixing internal fundamentals.
India’s efforts since 1991, including ‘Make in India’, have helped some sectors like electronics and pharma.
However, India’s manufacturing output and productivity still lag far behind global and Asian peers.
India must raise per capita value addition and overall productivity to compete globally.
Reforming Technical Education
India needs to upgrade how engineers are trained to meet modern manufacturing needs.
Entrance exams should test creativity and problem-solving, not just rote knowledge.
Engineering education should balance theory with practical skills (50% weightage to hands-on work).
Advanced labs, workshops, and product assembly setups must be part of colleges.
Students need skills to solve real industry problems and drive innovation, not just pass exams.
Strengthening Core Engineering
While AI and IT are important, India must strengthen core fields like civil, mechanical, chemical, and electrical.
Strong core engineering is needed to build machines, infrastructure, and transportation across varied terrains.
This requires large-scale R&D infrastructure and advanced supply chains.
Creating an Innovation Ecosystem
Like Silicon Valley, India needs a strong ecosystem for manufacturing innovation.
State-level industrial parks with top-class design, testing, and certification facilities are needed.
Engineering colleges must link R&D with skill training and support manufacturing startups.
India must boost R&D spending from 0.65% of GDP to at least 2%, with another 1% for industrial infrastructure.
A smart, responsive policy system is crucial to guide India’s manufacturing transformation.
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