Self reliance for Critical Challenges is must

The literal meaning of ‘Atmanirbhar’ is self-reliant. Independence or self-reliance is a state, whereas the ability to depend on oneself is a capability that must be developed and sustained over time.

No industry manufactures everything it needs. Therefore, the question is not whether we should depend on others, but which dependencies are acceptable and which goods or technologies involve risks that other countries cannot be relied upon to manage.

We all know that the plywood and panel industry is becoming increasingly dependent on imports, not only for timber but also for chemicals such as urea, phenol and melamine.

Capabilities Take Time to Develop

Learning a technology and achieving proficiency in it requires hands-on experience. It cannot simply be purchased from the market whenever the need arises. Developing new technologies and acquiring expertise in them can take several years. Therefore, it is essential to identify the areas in which efforts to build technological capabilities must begin well in advance. A clearly defined list of critical technologies can help identify areas where delays could create serious problems in the future.

Technology Has Become an Instrument of Strategic Power

The importance of technological sovereignty is increasing, and restricting supplies has now become part of countries’ strategic policies. In October 2022, the United States imposed restrictions on the supply of advanced chips and chip-making equipment to China. In response, China imposed controls on gallium and germanium in 2023, followed by restrictions on rare earth elements and magnets in April 2025. Russia’s war in Ukraine and the Middle East war have raised serious questions about the supply of fuel and chemicals.

Dependence on a product may be acceptable when multiple suppliers are available. However, when there is only one source of supply, the same dependence becomes a serious risk. A list of critical technologies can help distinguish between these two situations before supply disruptions occur, rather than after a crisis has already emerged.

The direct economic benefits that private companies receive from deep research are often smaller than its wider social benefits. As a result, companies tend to underinvest in research and development (R&D). It is equally true that many critical technologies benefit dozens of industries, but no single company can capture the entire benefit.

Therefore, the following aspects must be assessed:

1. Risk of Strategic Dependence: How dependent is the supply chain on a limited number of sources? Are alternative sources available, and how long would it take to develop new alternatives?
2. Economic Impact: How many industries does the technology support, and how rapidly is expenditure on its imports increasing?

Indian industries should use innovation-led procurement and Advance Market Commitments, even when domestically manufactured products are initially more expensive. This would ensure that the first domestic manufacturer of a critical component receives assured orders for its products. Ideally, an import-reduction target should be established for every critical component.

The concept of self-reliance is based on the same principle.

Suresh Bahety 

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