Every May 11, India pauses to remember a morning in 1998 when a mission codenamed Operation Shakti, where Indian scientists detonated three nuclear devices underground, one fusion and two fissions, followed by two more on May 13. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declared India a full nuclear state. Sanctions followed from the United States, Japan and several European nations. Within India, the response was something else entirely.
What tends to be forgotten is that May 11 brought two other achievements alongside the tests. India’s first indigenously built light aircraft, the Hansa-3, completed its maiden flight from Bangalore that same day. The Trishul missile was also successfully tested. Three breakthroughs in a single day, led in large part by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Dr. R. Chidambaram, the chief coordinators of Shakti. The following year, Vajpayee officially declared May 11 as National Technology Day in their honour.
In 2026, the occasion carries a different kind of weight. The theme, Responsible Innovation for Inclusive Growth (YANTRA), is a direct acknowledgement that technology in India has a distribution problem. UPI processes transactions for over 460 million users. Indian startups number 126 unicorns. The country has sent missions to the Moon and Mars. Yet a significant share of the population remains offline, rural schools still lack digital infrastructure, and the promise of artificial intelligence reaching every corner of the country is far from fulfilled.
National Technology Day this year does not simply look back at how far India has come. It asks, plainly, how many people the journey has actually carried with it.
Voices of technology leadership
Saravanan (Saran) Balasundaram, Founder & CEO, Han Digital Solution said, “AI is fundamentally reshaping the definition of employability in the Indian IT industry today. For years, the industry scaled on the basis of linear hiring models, where coding ability and execution capacity were primary differentiators. However, today, that model is evolving rapidly. Technology firms in India are no longer hiring for technical skills alone; they are increasingly prioritising AI readiness, learnability, prompt thinking, communication capabilities, creativity, problem-solving, and human oversight skills, commonly known as meta-skills; which are indeed becoming as important as domain expertise itself.”
“As AI automates coding, software testing and support functions, organisations are shifting towards leaner, productivity-led teams. This is one of the key reasons why traditional volume-based fresher hiring models are slowing down across the Indian ITBPM sector. At the same time, professionals with AI capabilities are commanding significantly higher salary premiums, reflecting how rapidly enterprise expectations are evolving. This AI transition is creating new opportunities across AI operations, governance, intelligent automation, cybersecurity, and digital engineering. Going forward, the most valuable technology professionals will not just be those who can code, but those who can think, adapt, collaborate with AI systems, and continuously learn in an AI-native economy,” added Balasundaram.
Shyam Arora, Founder, Meon Technology remarked, “India’s digital future is being shaped by how responsibly businesses leverage technology. At Meon, we strongly believe that AI, automation, and digital solutions are helping organizations to grow by boosting secure, trustworthy, and customer-first digital experiences. Businesses across India are adopting digital solutions like eKYC, Digital Onboarding, Aadhaar eSign, OCR APIs, CRM platforms, AI chatbots, and WhatsApp Business to make their work easier and improve customer experience. At the same time, cybersecurity plays a crucial role in today’s environment. As most of the companies are moving towards digitalization, solutions like Face verification, Liveness Detection, CKYC integration, PAN APIs, and Digilocker-based verification enable enterprises to verify the authenticity of users, prevent fraud, protect customer confidential data, and meet regulatory regulations. Meon aims to encourage secure and responsible digital transformation across India.”
Anand Basu, Founder, QRKY.ai stated,”National Technology Day reminds us that India’s most enduring technology contributions have come from solving familiar problems in mathematically novel ways, and that’s exactly the territory we operate in. A single QR code can be rendered in over 2.5 billion mathematically valid block configurations, each of them scannable, but only a handful are aesthetically aligned with a given brand or image. Our proprietary AI evaluates the combinatorial solution space in real time and selects the arrangement that most closely matches the user’s chosen image, without ever compromising scannability. The platform is hardware-agnostic, vendor-agnostic, and built to scale from a single artisan merchant to enterprise deployments across millions of touchpoints at a fraction of the operating cost of legacy QR infrastructure. Aesthetics is a deeply personal choice, and our AI is engineered precisely to navigate that subjectivity at scale. This is the proprietary engine that powers the QRKY platform, and it’s exactly the kind of deep-tech IP that India’s National Technology Day was instituted to celebrate.”
Anupam Shrey, Founder, Plutas.ai discussed, “As India accelerates toward a tech-led future, the real opportunity lies in building systems that are not just intelligent but deeply responsive to climate realities. In a world shaped by rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and increasing environmental uncertainty, AI and emerging technologies must evolve beyond efficiency to enable resilience. The next frontier of innovation will be defined by how seamlessly technology integrates into everyday life, anticipating risks, embedding financial protection, and strengthening trust across ecosystems. True progress will be measured not just by digital advancement, but by our ability to ensure that even the most vulnerable communities are protected, included, and empowered in the face of a rapidly changing climate.”
Saloni Jain, Co-Founder, Plus91Labs commented, “India’s rise as a technology-driven economy is being defined by a clear shift from participation to leadership. What we are witnessing today is not just rapid digital adoption but the emergence of a distinctly Indian approach to innovation that is built on scale, inclusivity and real-world impact. Technology is no longer operating in silos; it is deeply embedded in how sectors like finance, healthcare, agriculture and manufacturing are evolving to become more accessible, efficient and globally competitive. One of the most significant changes has been in the mindset of businesses. Technology is no longer viewed as a support function but as a strategic lever for growth and resilience. This shift is enabling Indian enterprises to design solutions that are not only relevant for domestic challenges but also scalable for global markets, strengthening India’s position as a credible innovation hub.”
Harkunwar Singh, CEO & Co-Founder, Novatr, said, “On National Technology Day, we celebrate not just what technology has built, but what it continues to build: smarter cities, reliable infrastructure, and a generation of AEC professionals equipped to lead this transformation. At Novatr, we are witnessing firsthand how technologies such as Generative AI, Building Information Modelling (BIM), Computational Design, and Parametric workflows are redefining the way architects, engineers, and construction professionals work and deliver projects. These are no longer future-facing tools; they are being actively used by forces reshaping design, construction, and project delivery today. That’s why we have built our learning programs around the real-world application of these technologies, enabling over 8,000 AEC professionals across 100+ countries to work confidently with automation workflows and data-driven construction practices. As India accelerates toward a technology-driven future, investing in professionals who can harness these specific capabilities is not just an opportunity; it is a national priority.”
Abhinav Parashar, Co-Founder and CEO, Digio discussed, “As India accelerates toward a digitally empowered future, the focus must shift from innovation at scale to innovation with responsibility. Technologies such as AI, digital public infrastructure, and intelligent automation are redefining how citizens and businesses access essential services, but their true impact lies in building trust, accessibility, and inclusion at every touchpoint. India’s digital growth story is unique because it is rooted in creating scalable, secure, and interoperable systems that support seamless and trusted digital interactions. In this evolving ecosystem, digital onboarding and KYC are becoming critical enablers of secure access, helping businesses deliver faster, compliant, and frictionless experiences to users. At Digio, we believe the next frontier of tech-led growth will be driven by technologies that simplify compliance, strengthen digital trust, and improve access for businesses and consumers alike. Responsible innovation, aligned with DPDP principles, backed by strong cybersecurity and user-centric design, will be critical in ensuring technology continues to drive inclusive and sustainable progress for the nation.”
Chirag Shah, Founder & CEO, Pulse said, “India is entering one of the most defining phases of its digital evolution, where AI, emerging technologies, and digital public infrastructure are not just accelerating innovation, but fundamentally transforming the way economies, businesses, and societies operate. We are witnessing a shift from digital adoption to digital acceleration at scale, and this presents an unprecedented opportunity for India to emerge as a global leader in trusted and inclusive technology innovation. However, the true potential of this transformation will depend on our ability to build secure, resilient, trusted, and equitable digital ecosystems. In an increasingly connected world, cybersecurity and digital trust are no longer supporting functions, they are strategic imperatives that will determine the pace and sustainability of future growth. At the same time, responsible and inclusive access to technology will be critical to ensuring that innovation creates meaningful impact across every segment of society. India’s next frontier will be defined by how effectively industry, government, and innovators work together to create technology-driven growth that is scalable, trusted, and built for long-term societal progress.”
Ankush Tiwari, CEO and Founder, pi-labs said, “Artificial Intelligence is rapidly emerging as a force multiplier in defence operations, transforming how modern security ecosystems operate and respond to evolving threats. The sector is witnessing a major shift from reactive defence mechanisms to predictive and intelligence-led security frameworks powered by AI and advanced analytics. Technologies such as multi-source data fusion are enabling enhanced situation awareness and stronger decision-making across complex operational environments. Another important trend is the rise of smaller sovereign AI models built for specific operational contexts, allowing nations to deploy secure, domain-specific intelligence systems tailored to their defence requirements while reducing dependence on external platforms. The growing importance of AI-driven cyber defence, digital infrastructure protection, and deepfake and misinformation detection is also reshaping national security priorities. As information warfare and synthetic media threats evolve, trusted and explainable AI systems are becoming critical for defence preparedness. The push toward sovereign AI and indigenous defence technology further highlights the need for resilient and self-reliant security ecosystems. Going forward, the modernization of defence infrastructure will increasingly depend on scalable AI systems that effectively combine human expertise with intelligent technologies to strengthen strategic capabilities and future defence readiness.”
Vikram Raichura, Founder & MD, Helo.ai by VivaConnect commented, “National Technology Day always takes me back to the early 2000s, when the basic question in Indian tech was whether things would work at all. Would the call connect? Would the message deliver? Today that question feels almost quaint. The country has crossed a billion internet users. UPI runs more real-time payments than the rest of the world combined. A WhatsApp message reaches a customer in a Tier-3 town as fast as one in Mumbai. What we have to ask now is harder: are we using all of this well? With the DPDP rules now in motion and AI in every product conversation, the expectations have quietly shifted. The companies that will matter over the next decade are not the ones doing the most. They are the ones doing the right things, on the customer’s terms, and explaining them honestly. That is the real work ahead.”
Vimal Singh SV, Founder & CEO, ReadyAssist replied, “Technology and AI-driven innovations are transforming the automotive vehicle care and roadside assistance industry, making service delivery faster, smarter, and more transparent. Today, industry is moving towards end-to-end digital service management, where technology enables seamless coordination across the complete service lifecycle. From service request allocation using automated matchmaking systems that connect customers with the right service providers based on real-time requirements, and technician dispatch through auto-dispatch mechanisms, to real-time service tracking, live customer updates, and deep-tech and AI-driven quality assurance frameworks that analyse customer interactions and reviews to flag anomalies in real time, these innovations are significantly improving response efficiency and overall customer experience. Technology-driven innovations are also helping build greater trust within the ecosystem. Features such as live towing tracking, pioneered by companies like ours, allow customers to view a live video feed of their vehicle while it is being towed, bringing greater transparency and peace of mind to service delivery. As the sector continues to evolve, technology will continue to play a critical role in shaping a more connected, reliable, and customer-centric mobility support ecosystem.”
Arindam Mukherjee, Co-Founder & CEO, NextLeap said, “In today’s age of artificial intelligence, work is changing fast, and the greatest challenge is no longer in acquiring information. Rather, the challenge is the ability to continuously learn, grow and stay up to date with the current workforce skills. Upskilling for work has become a necessity instead of the previously viewed benefit of doing so. As many industries introduce AI and automation as part of their everyday activities, these professionals will need to learn new skills that combine technology, problem solving and practical applications. In addition, the use of AI will transform how people learn and the overall education experience. Thanks to technology, learners now have access to personalized learning experiences that provide real-time feedback, adaptive content and realistic practice environments, resulting in a greater number of efficient, available and results-oriented training opportunities than previously offered. The structural shift from traditional education to workplace provides an incredible opportunity for learners to receive training and be able to start working in their selected field in a much shorter amount of time than before. On National Technology Day, we should celebrate not only advancements in technology, but how technology has empowered all of us by providing us with access to new opportunities and creating a workforce that is ready for the future of work in India through continuous learning. NextLeap is committed to helping to develop individuals into continuous learners who will keep pace with the rapidly changing world of technology and the work environment.”
Kumar Surender Sinwar, Founder & CEO, mlHealth360 said, “AI is playing a transformative role in the field of radiology and medical imaging by enabling faster detection of critical abnormalities, improving diagnostic accuracy, and supporting clinicians in making timely decisions. As healthcare systems continue to manage increasing imaging volumes and demand for faster diagnosis, AI-powered technologies are helping streamline radiology workflows, reduce reporting delays, and improve overall healthcare efficiency. One of the key trends shaping the industry today is the integration of secure and intelligent imaging solutions into existing hospital infrastructure to assist healthcare professionals without disrupting clinical workflows. Technologies such as AI-assisted diagnostics, automated anomaly detection, and predictive imaging analytics are helping create a more proactive and data-driven healthcare ecosystem. Going forward, innovation in health-tech will continue to play a critical role in improving patient outcomes, accessibility, and operational efficiency across the healthcare sector.”
Manish Mohta, Founder, Learning Spiral said, “The fast-changing fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital/computer technologies, and cybersecurity are fundamentally improving the technology-focused economy of India. Developing digital public infrastructures, such as identity verification, payment acceptance, and government service delivery, has made it significantly easier for the public to access these types of services. Building digital public infrastructure, it will raise the overall digitalization levels across India, so systems and their respective data will become increasingly vulnerable across many regions within India. Therefore, we must find ways to incorporate both innovation and resiliency into our future so that India’s economy continues to grow at a sustained rate while being competitive on an international level and offering equality of access in this fast-changing digital economy.”
Prithiviraaj Shetty, Young Entrepreneur in Faith-Tech, Founder & CEO of Bhagavad Gita For All said, “On National Technology Day, the easy thing to say is that India is catching up. Because that isnt the right way to look at technology. India is not following Silicon Valley. We are building something else.We have always built technology. Just for a different layer. The Gita, yoga, and meditation are not philosophy. They are operating systems for the mind, shipped five thousand years before anyone wrote a line of code. The greatest technology India ever built was for the soul.What makes this moment different is that AI lets us deliver that wisdom at scale. In any language. The exact moment someone needs it. We built MyKrishna to do this. The Gita mapped to 2,500 life situations, used by a million people worldwide.India will not lead by mimicking. We will lead by combining what we built for the soul with what the world is building for the screen.”
Chaitra Vedullapalli, Co-Founder, Women in Cloud elucidated, “As we move towards adopting an AI-centric world one thing that comes to my mind is that how inclusive these emerging technologies would be. Our past experiences have taught us that for any technology wave to become successful we must democratise it. India’s next frontier in tech-led growth has to be inclusive for all so that we move together as a society. In the age of cybersecurity, it should not just benefit a few but must protect the subaltern class as well. The real success will be in how these technologies are helping the marginalised section of society. Keeping this in mind, we have launched our new initiative #FoundHerWorld which is designed to offer economic access to women entrepreneurs in tech. We have to convert visibility into real economic access for women founders building in the trillion-dollar AI-powered economy. The truth is that the future of the AI economy will be defined by whoever has access, not just who is seen. Our endeavour is to offer a level playing field to all and ensure that women founders move beyond visibility into real economic participation.”
