Introduction: Charting the Course for Indian Robotics

On February 3, 2026, a high-level meeting of the Technology Advisory Group (TAG) was convened under the chairmanship of Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India. The primary agenda was to define a strategic roadmap for the robotics ecosystem in India. The discussion focused on shifting from mere assembly to indigenization and leveraging robotics as a tool for "augmentation" of human labor rather than replacement.

Key Facts: The 3rd TAG Meeting
Chairperson

Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood (PSA)

Key Theme

Strategic Roadmap for Robotics & Physical AI

Draft Strategy By

Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY)

Focus Areas

Defense, Healthcare, Agriculture, Manufacturing

Key Highlights & Expert Insights

1. Vision for Indigenization

Prof. Sood emphasized that India must become self-reliant in robotics. The goal is to move towards "Software Sovereignty" and indigenize critical design tools, a sentiment echoed by DRDO Chairman Dr. Sameer Kamat.

2. Defense as a Priority

Lt Gen N.S. Raja Subramani highlighted that integrating robotics into national defense is no longer optional but a strategic imperative for modern warfare, calling for unmanned and dual-use platforms.

3. The National Strategy Framework

MeitY Secretary Shri S. Krishnan noted that the existing IndiaAI Mission and Semiconductor Mission serve as foundational pillars for a future dedicated Robotics Mission.

4. Academic & Industry Inputs

  • IIT Madras: Stressed the need for a national "Tactile Intelligence" initiative (Touch technology in robots).
  • ARTPARK (IISc): Focused on moving research from labs to market-ready solutions.
  • Startups: Founders from GreyOrange and General Autonomy called for Production Linked Incentives (PLI) and "Grand Challenges" to boost domestic manufacturing.
Major Challenges Identified

The group identified several critical gaps that make India vulnerable:

  • Hardware Deficit: Lack of domestic manufacturing for actuators, sensors, chipsets, and precision gears.
  • Standards Gap: Need for a unified regulatory framework and testing labs to ensure Indian robots meet global safety norms (ISO/CE) for export.
  • Data Infrastructure: A consensus was reached on building a Federated National Data Infrastructure to support robotics use cases.
Official Statement

"Robotics should be viewed as a force multiplier for national missions... and a cornerstone of high-value manufacturing." — Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to GoI.

Source Information

For the full official text, please refer to the Press Information Bureau release:

Click here to read the Official Press Release
India's Strategic Roadmap for Robotics: TAG Meeting 2026 & Future Missions - Image 1

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Who chaired the 3rd meeting of the Technology Advisory Group (TAG)?
The meeting was chaired by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
Q2. What is the key strategic focus regarding human labor in the robotics roadmap?
The focus is on augmentation of human labor rather than replacing it.
Q3. Which ministry has formulated the draft National Strategy on Robotics?
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Q4. What specific technology did IIT Madras emphasize during the meeting?
Prof. M Manivannan from IIT Madras emphasized Tactile Perception and Haptics as a foundational layer for Embodied AI.
Q5. What are the major hardware gaps identified in the Indian ecosystem?
Significant gaps exist in actuators, sensors, transducers, chipsets, and precision gears.
Q6. What role does DRDO envision for the robotics sector?
DRDO Chairman emphasized achieving software sovereignty and indigenizing critical design and simulation tools.
Q7. What was the recommendation regarding data infrastructure?
There was a consensus to develop a Shared National Data and Federated Infrastructure to support robotics use cases.
Q8. Which existing missions were cited as foundational pillars for the Robotics Mission?
The IndiaAI Mission and the India Semiconductor Mission were highlighted as foundational pillars.