CDAC Urged to Strengthen Ties with Private Sector for India’s Tech Growth

The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), a leading R&D organization under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has been called upon to enhance collaboration with the private sector to boost India’s innovation ecosystem. This appeal came from S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, during his keynote address on the occasion of C-DAC's 38th Foundation Day.

Krishnan acknowledged C-DAC’s remarkable contributions, particularly in the field of supercomputing, where it played a pioneering role by developing India’s first indigenous supercomputer, Param. He also praised its ongoing projects, including the development of indigenous servers and processors, such as those under the VEGA program — a national initiative for open-source chip design that aims to reduce dependency on foreign chip technologies.

However, Krishnan emphasized that to keep pace with rapid global technological advancements, C-DAC must now expand its collaborations beyond government agencies and academic institutions to include private players. According to him, true innovation flourishes when research organizations and industries work together in synergy, combining advanced R&D with practical application, scalability, and commercial viability.

He noted that the government is fully prepared to share developed technologies with private sector partners, with a view to fostering a vibrant ecosystem of innovation. These partnerships, he said, will not only enable mass production and servicing of technologies but also ensure continuous upgrades through joint efforts.

Highlighting the need for a structured mechanism for technology transfer, Krishnan urged the creation of platforms that allow private firms to adopt, scale, and enhance the technologies developed by C-DAC. This will ensure that the benefits of public R&D investments reach the broader economy and support the government’s vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India).

Adding to this vision, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan, who also addressed the event, shed light on how India has historically turned challenges into opportunities. He pointed out how global technology restrictions and denials in the past pushed India to develop indigenous capabilities. He cited CDAC’s early success in building a supercomputer during such a time and ISRO’s own work in developing advanced rocket propulsion systems without foreign assistance as strong examples of resilience and innovation.

Together, their message was clear: for India to maintain momentum in its digital and technological progress, a collaborative approach involving government research institutions, academia, and the private sector is not just desirable—it is essential. With its strong foundation and achievements, C-DAC is in a prime position to lead this movement toward deeper integration with the industry, paving the way for the next generation of Indian technological breakthroughs.