Category Center for ICT for Development

Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS) - 2012

Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS) – 2012

Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS) started in July 2012 as a three-year scheme addressing India’s growing import dependency. In 2015, it underwent its first major revision, extending the program to 2020, adding 15 verticals, and simplifying approval processes to encourage faster investment. By 2017, strategic amendments further expedited procedures and extended deadlines to the end of 2018. Applications closed in December 2018, but implementation continues. In 2020, the Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS) was launched as a successor, focusing on incentivizing component manufacturing with 25% capital expenditure support.

OpenForge 2015–2025: A Decade of Empowering Open-Source Government Innovation

OpenForge 2015–2025: A Decade of Empowering Open-Source Government Innovation

India is emerging as a global center for its vast digital user base and government initiatives, free and open source software (FOSS) innovation. India's digital ecosystem is well deployed to use open-source technologies, with more than 96% of the 4G users accessing the Internet through open-source platforms such as Android. Recognizing this capacity, the Government of India (GOI) has actively promoted the adoption of open-source since 2015, notably through Openforge, an official platform for collaborative development of e-governance applications.

Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Plant: A Major Step Towards Self-Reliance

Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Plant: A Major Step Towards Self-Reliance

India is steadily moving towards self-reliance and technological independence, especially under programs like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India. These initiatives aim to reduce reliance on imports across various sectors, including sustainable energy. An essential part of this shift is gaining the ability to access and process critical minerals. Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are crucial in making high-performance components like Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPMs). These magnets are widely used in wind turbines, electric cars, electronics and defense applications.

Biological Research Regulatory Approval Portal (BioRRAP): India's Single-Window Framework For Biological Research- Policy Highlights 2025

Biological Research Regulatory Approval Portal (BioRRAP): India’s Single-Window Framework For Biological Research- Policy Highlights 2025

India is emerging as a global leader in biotechnology, with its biotech sector valued at USD 165.7 billion in 2024 and projected to reach USD 300 billion by 2030. Recognising the sector's vast potential to address global challenges, the Government of India launched BioRRAP (Biological Research Regulatory Approval Portal) in 2022, an online platform developed and maintained by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science & Technology. 

High-Performance Computing System for Climate Resilience and Forecast Precision in India

High-Performance Computing System for Climate Resilience and Forecast Precision in India

India began its journey with High-Performance Computing (HPC) several decades back, but it was not a smooth beginning. Supercomputers and HPC systems were categorized as strategic and dual-use technologies by many developed nations, which limited the access of supercomputers to India. The first attempt to indigenously create supercomputing systems for research and development was the development of PARAM 8000, developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).

India-Qatar

India-Qatar: Maritime Energy Security Dialogue

India and Qatar share a deep energy partnership, with Qatar being a key supplier of liquified natural gas (LNG) to meet India’s growing demand. As energy trade relies heavily on secure maritime routes, rising geopolitical tensions in the Gulf and threats to sea lanes have made security a shared priority. To address these challenges, the India-Qatar Maritime Energy Security Dialogue has been launched to strengthen cooperation in safeguarding energy flows, enhancing naval cooperation, and building resilient supply chains. This policy update briefly examines the partnership’s significance and outlines ways to deepen collaboration for regional stability and energy security.

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