ChannelDrive.in Spotlight | National Technology Day
National Technology Day, celebrated annually on May 11 in India, marks a significant milestone in the country’s technological and scientific advancements. The day commemorates India’s successful nuclear tests in Pokhran in the year 1998, codenamed – Operation Shakti, which demonstrated the nation’s prowess in defense technology.
Beyond this historic achievement, National Technology Day honors the contributions of scientists, engineers, and innovators who drive India’s growth in fields like IT, biotechnology, space exploration, and artificial intelligence.
The Significance of National Technology Day
Declared by then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, National Technology Day serves as a reminder of India’s self-reliance in critical technologies. The Pokhran tests not only reinforced national security but also positioned India as a global player in strategic defense capabilities. Since then, the day has evolved into a platform to recognize advancements across industries, fostering a culture of innovation, research, and entrepreneurship.
India’s Key Technological Milestones
1. Space Technology – The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved milestones like Chandrayaan-3, Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission), and Gaganyaan (India’s manned space mission).
2. Information Technology – Today, India is regarded as a global IT hub, contributing significantly to global software development activities, cloud computing, and AI-driven solutions.
3. Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals – The COVID-19 vaccine development (Covaxin, Covishield) showcased India’s capability in rapid medical innovation.
4. Defense & Aerospace – Indigenous projects like Tejas (fighter jet), BrahMos missile, and Agni-V ICBM highlight self-reliance in defense tech.
Role of Business Community in Driving Innovation
Indian companies such as the Tata Group, Infosys and Reliance, are leading from the front and investing heavily in AI, renewable energy, and automation. The rise of unicorns like Flipkart, Zomato, etc reflects a thriving startup ecosystem in India. Additionally, global tech giants like Google, Oracle, Microsoft, and Amazon are expanding R&D centers in India, recognizing the country’s talent pool.
Future Outlook: India as a Global Tech Leader
With a focus on 5G, AI, blockchain, and sustainable energy, India is poised to become a $1 trillion digital economy by 2030. National Technology Day serves as a catalyst, inspiring the next generation of innovators to build cutting-edge solutions for global challenges.
This National Technology Day, we spotlight a transformative shift in India’s technology landscape—one led by sustainable innovation, AI infrastructure, deep-tech talent development, tech with a purpose and the rise of the creative economy.
Here is what some industry leaders are saying this National Technology Day:
Vijayant Rai, Managing Director- India, Snowflake, comments, “On this National Technology Day, India stands as a beacon of technological innovation. Decades of scientific achievement converge with our pioneering spirit in artificial intelligence and digital transformation. In an era where AI and GenAI are fundamentally reshaping the fabric of industries, India’s competitive edge lies in relentless innovation, perpetual learning, and our commitment to upskilling our workforce. Snowflake’s commitment to India’s technological advancement extends beyond technology – we catalyze nation-building through strategic talent development. Through our collaboration with Nasscom’s FutureSkills Prime platform, we embark on an ambitious journey to skill 100,000 learners with advanced data and AI capabilities over the next two years. India’s journey from digital adoption to digital leadership lies in nurturing our people’s skills, enabling them to adapt, lead, and build a future where technology transforms lives for the better and catalyzes inclusive growth and resilience.”
“This National Technology Day, we must look back at the remarkable strides India has made in technology and digital innovation, truly transforming the way businesses gain access to, and adopt technology. At Infor, we are proud to contribute to this journey through our continued investment in advanced, cutting-edge technologies like AI, cloud, and data analytics. India is not just a market to us – it is a technology development hub. Our Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Hyderabad — Infor’s largest worldwide — stands as a testament to our long-term vision of India as a global leader for innovation. We recently opened another office in Hyderabad that can accommodate more than 300 employees, on top of our current 3500-employee GCC.
With an upcoming data center in the country in collaboration with AWS, we remain committed to empowering industries with purpose-built, cloud-based solutions that meet the dynamic needs of the digital economy. Our goal is to democratize technology, by embedding AI driven use cases —such as bid optimization for aerospace or price optimization for distributors—directly into our ERP solutions,” says, Ranga Pothula, SVP, Global Delivery Services, Infor.
Sustainable Digital Infrastructure for Green AI
“On this National Technology Day, we honour the spirit of innovation that drives India toward a Viksit and Atmanirbhar Bharat. At RackBank, we believe that the backbone of this transformation lies in future-ready, sustainable digital infrastructure. Our AI-first, carbon-neutral datacenter initiatives are a testament to that belief—where high-density compute meets climate responsibility. By leveraging renewable energy, liquid cooling, and carbon removal strategies, we’re not just building datacenters—we’re enabling India’s green AI revolution. With strong policy support and India’s rising deep tech talent, RackBank is proud to power the India AI Mission, unlocking the potential of AI across critical sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and education. We are committed to building an intelligent, self-reliant, and sustainable digital India,” says, Narendra Sen, Founder & CEO, RackBank.
Responsible IT Services & AI-Cyber Talent for a Future-Ready Bharat
“On National Technology Day, we reflect on India’s journey of innovation and reaffirm our commitment to a sustainable, technology-driven future. At Orient Technologies, we empower businesses with agile, efficient IT lifecycle services that optimize assets from acquisition to disposal, ensuring long-term performance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental responsibility. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We invest in developing tech talent in AI and cybersecurity, preparing them to lead in building a more sustainable digital world. We are aligned with IndiaAI Mission and contributing to mission-critical infrastructure alongside MeitY. We proudly support India’s vision of a resilient, future-ready Bharat that leads in global tech,” comments, Ajay Sawant, Chairman and Managing Director, Orient Technologies Limited.
Creative-Tech Skilling for the AVGC-XR Revolution
“On this National Technology Day, we honour the pulse of innovation powering India’s digital leap, especially in the fast-evolving AVGC-XR sector. At Aptech Ltd., we don’t just train students; we shape tomorrow’s creative technologists with cutting-edge skills in animation, VFX, virtual production, gaming, and digital content creation. Fuelled by landmark initiatives like the India AI Mission and future-focused skilling frameworks, the AVGC-XR industry in India is projected to grow further. The recent WAVES 2025 forum conducted in Mumbai, presided over by our Honourable Prime Minister is a testament to the commitment and potential of this industry. By spotlighting the 3 pillars of today’s Orange Economy through Content, Creativity, and Culture, the government and public are rallying behind this industry to make India’s Viksit Bharat vision a holistic success. With a powerful mix of policy push, infrastructure strength, and talent transformation, we’re building a creative economy that’s not only self-reliant but globally influential. Our journey has just started, and India is set to carve itself as the global hub for film production, digital content, gaming, fashion, music and live concerts,” comments, Abir Aich, Executive Vice President, Head Academics & New Technology, Aptech Limited.
Tech with Purpose: Innovation That Uplifts Communities
“On National Technology Day, we celebrate not just innovation, but also the infinite potential of human creativity made possible by technology. From enhancing everyday moments to addressing society’s most pressing issues, technology is the great equalizer – bridging gaps, driving development, and promoting a more inclusive future. As we push forward, we must continue to focus on building solutions that are not only cutting-edge, but also meaningful, sustainable, and readily available to all. True innovation is the use of technology to improve people’s lives, offer up new opportunities, and have a lasting impact on communities, industries, and generations to come,” says, Nishant Rathi, Founder & Director, NeoSOFT.
“Nation-building is in our DNA and on this National Technology Day, we are reminded that India’s true strength lies not just in its innovation, but in the spirit behind it. As Prime Minister Modi ji envisions a Viksit Bharat through ‘Make in India’, it’s up to us – entrepreneurs, technologists, and citizens – to turn that vision into reality. India has the intelligence, heart, and determination to lead the world in transformative, future-ready technology. We don’t just want to scale businesses – we want to help shape a future where Indian innovation powers global progress and where technology uplifts every corner of our nation. This is our responsibility, and our greatest aspiration,” comments, Payal Nambiar, Founder and Director, B-Square Solutions.
Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India, said, “India’s technology sector continues to be a strong pillar showcasing prominent and immense growth, powered by innovation in semiconductors, connectivity, and digital infrastructure. India ranks 39th in the Global Innovation Index (GII), which presents vast opportunities for developing advanced, innovative and sustainable technologies which will help drive the country’s digital vision forward. At MediaTek, we believe that fostering local R&D, strengthening the semiconductor ecosystem, and investing in skill development will be key to supporting India’s ambitions as a global innovation hub.”
Raja Mansukhani, Chief Strategy, Technology, and Transformation Officer, Comviva, said, “On this National Technology Day, we celebrate India’s extraordinary journey in becoming a global hub for technological innovation. Over the past decade, the country has witnessed a surge in entrepreneurial spirit, with a thriving startup ecosystem and a bold embrace of emerging technologies such as AI/ML, Blockchain, and IoT. These advancements have firmly established India as a key player in shaping the global tech landscape. At Comviva, we believe that true innovation stems from empowered people and transformative ideas. That’s why we are deeply committed to nurturing local talent partnering with leading universities to equip the next generation with hands on experience in cutting edge technologies. By harnessing the power of AI, ML, and other next-gen tools, we are driving end-to-end digital transformation and delivering meaningful, future ready solutions to our customers across the globe. In an increasingly connected and digital first world, we remain focused on making technology more human centric, impactful, and inclusive.”
Nishant Patel, Co-Founder and CTO, Contentstack, said, “Tech isn’t just evolving, it’s reshaping how we live, work, and connect. From AI to composable architecture, we’re at a moment where innovation meets real-world impact. At Contentstack, we’re proud to be a product built in India for the world—proof that world-class tech can rise from here and scale everywhere. On National Technology Day, we honour the spirit of innovation that put India on the global tech map and celebrate the builders shaping the future with the same ambition and resolve.”
Sanket Atal, Managing Director, Operations & Tech, Salesforce India, said, “National Technology Day is not just a celebration of India’s technological milestones – it’s a reminder of our collective responsibility to use innovation as a force for sustainable and inclusive growth. As we move into an era powered by agentic AI, it is imperative that we ensure this progress is human-centered, ethical, and future-ready.
India’s youth are the architects of this future. To truly empower them, we must focus on expanding access to high-quality digital skills and building the confidence to lead in an AI-first world. At Salesforce, we’re contributing to this mission through platforms like Trailhead, which has helped millions across India learn in-demand skills.
As we work towards a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the real differentiator will not be how fast we innovate, but how intentionally we innovate—ensuring that technology serves society, preserves the planet, and uplifts every individual it touches. By combining public ambition, private sector commitment, and strong industry-academia collaboration, we can ensure that Indian youth are not only prepared for the future – they are building it.”
“Sustainability is of strategic importance to global enterprises. The focus will be on using AI and non-AI systems to optimize resource usage, reduce waste, and improve energy efficiency. AI will augment existing solutions in telemetry and visual analytics for sustainability. However, the AI-Tech remains resource intensive. Energy consumption by AI and the proliferation of data centres are major concerns, and efforts are underway to make the AI stack more sustainable from silicon to software,” says spokesperson from Wipro.
“Over the last year, India has made great strides in emerging technologies, particularly AI. The growth inevitably causes data explosion and a consequent surge in power consumption. At a time when every byte draws power, a robust data infrastructure becomes more than just a technical foundation – it becomes an imperative. NetApp’s Intelligent Data Infrastructure empowers businesses to act on this responsibility by reducing digital waste, optimising storage, and minimising energy consumption. The shift toward sustainability isn’t an add-on; it’s built right into how we store, manage, and scale data. For India, this is a defining opportunity, to lead the world in demonstrating that digital acceleration and environmental responsibility can grow in lockstep,” says, Puneet Gupta, Vice President & Managing Director, NetApp India/SAARC.
“National Technology Day is a powerful reminder of India’s growing strength in innovation and self-reliance. We see this day as an opportunity to celebrate how technology can transform lives when it’s designed with purpose. With a legacy of Japanese engineering and a strong ‘Make in India’ vision, we’re committed to creating solutions that reflect the evolving needs of Indian consumers, from energy-efficient air conditioners to intelligent displays and smart appliances. For us, technology isn’t just about advancement, it’s about relevance, reliability and improving everyday life.
On this day, we stand alongside the nation in driving progress through meaningful innovation, and we remain focused on building a brighter, smarter future for India,” says, Anurag Sharma, Managing Director & CEO, AKAI India.
“This National Technology Day, we must acknowledge the rapid pace of digital transformation in India, driven by AI, cloud, and automation, which are reshaping how we work, connect, and deliver services. The opportunities are immense, but with progress comes increasing complexity. Today, cyberattacks like business email compromise, social engineering, and AI-driven exploits are shifting focus to individuals rather than just systems, growing more sophisticated with each passing day.
Critical sectors, including BFSI and healthcare, are particularly vulnerable. A single breach in these industries can erode trust built over years, making it clear that cybersecurity cannot be an afterthought—it must be woven into the foundation of innovation. And that requires a renewed focus on awareness, training, and collective vigilance.
But the reality is, we’re facing a shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals in India and to bridge this gap, businesses must embrace flexible hiring models, including the ability to tap into global talent pools. At the same time, stronger industry-academia collaboration is critical to equip students with hands-on experience that prepares them for real-world attacks, not just theoretical scenarios.
At Sophos, we understand that businesses of all sizes—from SMBs to large enterprises—require scalable, practical security. Now, cybersecurity is not just a technical necessity; it’s a strategic enabler of growth and a cyber-resilient India,” says, Sunil Sharma, Vice President – Sales (India & SAARC), Sophos.
“National Technology Day reminds us that the most significant advancements often come from cross-industry collaboration. Whether it’s applying aerospace principles to Energy or leveraging automotive technologies in Medical devices, breaking down silos and fostering knowledge sharing by accelerating the convergence of physical & digital world is crucial for driving innovation and solving complex challenges in India”, said Dr. T.C. Ramesh- Head, Innovation & Technology, Quest Global.
“On this National Technology Day, we find ourselves at a critical inflection point where artificial intelligence is a present-day catalyst reshaping every layer of enterprise infrastructure. The demands of AI workloads, right from training large language models to deploying real-time inference at the edge are pushing the limits of what our data centres can handle. This is a matter of capacity, adaptability, resilience, and foresight, and Vertiv strives to support India’s data mission.
The infrastructure supporting AI must evolve just as fast as the technology itself. We’re seeing steep increases in rack densities, shifts toward liquid cooling, and the need for more responsive, scalable power systems. These are strategic imperatives for every organisation that intends to harness AI meaningfully.
India, with its deep talent pool and fast-growing digital economy, is uniquely positioned to lead in this transformation. But doing so will require continued investment in AI applications and in the foundational infrastructure that makes AI viable at scale. As we look ahead, the path to responsible and effective AI adoption lies in building systems that are intelligent by design and resilient by necessity. We’re proud to contribute to this momentum through our 360° AI infrastructure that helps enterprises build intelligent, efficient systems that unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence,” comments, Shrirang Deshpande, Country Head, Strategic Programmes, Vertiv India.
Amit Luthra, Managing Director, Lenovo ISG India, says, “On National Technology Day, we recognize AI as the driving force behind India’s next wave of digital and economic transformation. From BFSI to manufacturing and healthcare, enterprises are reimagining how they operate, serve customers, and innovate – powered by AI and data. As highlighted in Lenovo’s CIO Playbook 2025, 51% of Indian organizations are scaling AI initiatives to stay competitive in a fast-evolving landscape. But to truly unlock value, they need infrastructure that’s agile, intelligent, and scalable. Our next-generation, AI-optimized storage solutions including 21 new ThinkSystem and ThinkAgile models are designed to help businesses harness the full potential of their data across workloads, whether in AI, virtualization, or sustainable operations. Lenovo is committed to making AI smarter and accessible to everyone, contributing to India’s ‘AI for All’ vision and ensuring its benefits reach every industry and community.”
Piyush Agarwal, SE Leader-India, Cloudera, comments, “On National Technology Day, we celebrate the power of innovation and the transformative potential of data in shaping India’s digital future. As Indian enterprises accelerate their AI journeys, the ability to use data intelligently is fast becoming a core differentiator. With the rise of AI, particularly Agentic AI, there is a growing need to ensure that data strategies are not just scalable, but also secure, governed, and future-ready. Our recent study highlights this momentum, 84% of Indian organizations have implemented AI agents in the past two years, with 36% doing so in just the last 12 months. This upward trend is expected to continue, with 98% planning to expand usage and 78% targeting organization-wide deployment. In response, forward-looking businesses in India are adopting open data architectures to build resilient, insight-driven ecosystems. As technology continues to evolve, the synergy between data, cloud, and AI will play a defining role in enabling sustainable growth and global competitiveness for Indian businesses.”
Rikant Pittie, CEO and Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip, “At EaseMyTrip, we leverage AI/ML and data mining to transform travel operations, making extraordinary experiences accessible across India. As a technology-focused platform, we work towards providing seamless and customised services through innovations like predictive analytics for personalised recommendations, streamlined booking processes, real-time customer support solutions, and dynamic pricing optimisation. Through these technological initiatives, customers create lifetime memories while enjoying tailored travel experiences.”
Kartik Narayan, CEO- Staffing, TeamLease Services, “Technology is fundamentally transforming India’s blue-collar workforce, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for job creation, skill development, and financial inclusion. With over 450 million workers, this segment is witnessing rapid digitisation, from AI-powered hiring platforms reducing recruitment time by over 80%, to immersive AR/VR training cutting workplace accidents by nearly 30%. The surge in sectors like infrastructure, manufacturing, and quick commerce is driving demand for millions of skilled workers. However, bridging the skill gap and ensuring regulatory compliance remain critical. As India marches toward a $5 trillion economy, integrating technology with inclusive policies will be key to empowering blue-collar workers, formalising gig employment, and building a resilient, future-ready labour ecosystem.”
Dr. Kathiravan Kannan, Director, SRM Tiruchirappalli, said, “Driven by the government’s commitment towards ‘Digital India’ and focus on digitization along with deep-tech, India is among one of the fastest moving towards becoming a global technology and innovation hub. With the rising need of future-ready skills deeper industry-academia and global immersion programmes focusing on AI, machine learning and automation are vital. At SRM Institute of Science & Technology, Tiruchirappalli, we focus on interdisciplinary learning, hands-on training, and strong industry collaboration to prepare students for real-world impact.”
Picture Courtesy: Pixabay.com
