Plugged Into the Future: DPIIT Secretary Leads Tech Delegation to IoT & AI Hub in Bengaluru

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Secretary, Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, recently led a high-profile delegation to the K-tech MeitY Nasscom Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Bengaluru. This visit underscored the government’s commitment to fostering deep technology innovation and bridging startups, academia, industry, and policy efforts to position India as a global technology leader. The engagement also focused on strategic review and acceleration of key infrastructure projects in Karnataka, aligning with national industrial growth ambitions.

 

Key Highlights of the Delegation Visit

 

Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, DPIIT Secretary and Head of Startup India, was accompanied by senior officials including Shri Rajat Kumar Saini, CEO & MD of the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC), and other DPIIT representatives.

 

The delegation engaged extensively with the K-tech MeitY Nasscom Centre of Excellence, a premier innovation hub that connects startups, enterprises, academia, and government agencies to work collaboratively on emerging technologies including IoT, AI, Data Science, Augmented & Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Robotics, and Machine Learning.

 

Interaction with startup founders and ecosystem leaders provided insights into cutting-edge solutions capable of transforming diverse sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, smart urban infrastructure, and clean technologies.

 

Discussions highlighted opportunities for targeted policy interventions to accelerate innovation adoption and scale deep tech startups within the Indian ecosystem.

 

Role and Significance of the K-tech MeitY Nasscom Centre of Excellence

 

The Centre serves as a vibrant platform for nurturing scalable deep tech ventures, offering incubation, mentorship, infrastructure, and cross-sector collaboration opportunities.

 

It fosters technology development tailored to India’s unique industrial and societal challenges, focusing on real-world applications and commercialization potential.

 

The CoE actively promotes synergy among startups, established enterprises, government initiatives, and academic research to build a sustainable innovation pipeline.

 

By leveraging expertise in AI and IoT, the Centre supports projects in predictive analytics, automation, smart logistics, Industry 4.0, and smart city solutions aligned with national priorities.

 

Strategic Review of Kannada Industrial Projects and Investments

 

Subsequent to the CoE visit, the delegation conducted a comprehensive review of the Tumakuru Industrial Area, a critical component of the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP).

 

Phase A development spans 1,736 acres with ongoing construction of roads, utilities, and key infrastructure, aimed at readiness for industrial land allotment by the end of 2025.

 

EPC contractor Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and project management consultants HaskoningDHV assured timely completion of deliverables to maintain global standards and meet targeted milestones.

 

The delegation emphasized the importance of expediting infrastructure to attract large-scale domestic and foreign investment, especially in advanced manufacturing, electronics, clean technology, and automotive sectors.

 

Other Notable Site Visits and Collaborations

 

The delegation also toured the Devanahalli Aerospace Special Economic Zone (SEZ), signaling expanding aerospace manufacturing capabilities.

 

Visits to global manufacturing players such as Foxconn Hon Hai Technology India and Dynamatic Technologies offered perspective on India’s growing strengths in electronics and precision engineering supply chains.

 

Senior Karnataka state officials participated actively in the review meetings to facilitate coordinated efforts between multiple stakeholders for seamless project execution.

 

Policy Implications and Forward Path

 

Shri Bhatia highlighted the necessity of aligning innovation ecosystems with infrastructure development to achieve export-led growth and global competitiveness.

 

The government aims to support startups through streamlined policies, funding facilitation, and innovation-friendly regulations, focusing on emerging deep tech sectors.

 

The convergence of digital technology incubation, industrial corridor development, and strategic investment promotion embodies a holistic approach to India’s industrial transformation.

 

Broader Context and National Impact

 

The visit reflects India’s intensified focus on building world-class innovation clusters and industrial corridors to foster sustainable economic growth and job creation.

 

The DPIIT’s leadership in Startup India and industrial promotion dovetails with efforts to enhance India’s tech manufacturing footprint and incubate future-ready enterprises.

 

Encouraging outcomes from such engagements reinforce Karnataka’s reputation as a technology and industrial innovation hub pivotal to India’s vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.

 

In summary, the DPIIT Secretary-led delegation’s visit to the K-tech MeitY Nasscom Centre of Excellence for IoT and AI in Bengaluru represents a significant stride in India’s journey toward technological leadership and industrial modernization. By bridging policy, innovation, and infrastructure development, it paves the way for cutting-edge solutions that address complex challenges while propelling economic growth and global competitiveness.

 

Sources: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Views Today