National Technology Day 2025: How India is shaping a sustainable tech ecosystem

Technology for a Sustainable Tomorrow Celebrating National Technology Day 2025

India is rapidly evolving from a technology adopter to a global leader in sustainable innovation, an ascent powered by a confluence of grassroots ingenuity, corporate commitment, and progressive policy frameworks. As of May 2024, India ranks third globally in the number of unicorns, with its startup ecosystem valued at over USD 349 billion (KPMG), and the number of DPIIT recognized startups has surged from just 500 in 2016 to over 159,000 by January 2025 (Press Information Bureau). This entrepreneurial momentum is increasingly focused on addressing climate challenges and fostering inclusive development.

Sustainability is taking center stage in areas like circular economy, where India’s formal e-waste recycling market was valued at $56.8 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.3% through 2030 as per ResearchAndMarkets report titled, Growth Opportunities in India’s Circular Economy of eWaste. The Confederation of Indian Industry’s National Circular Economy Framework 2024 lays out a roadmap for designing closed-loop systems that reduce waste and promote resource efficiency (CII Blog).

Complementing this progress is India’s performance in global innovation metrics. Ranked 39th in the Global Innovation Index 2024 (WIPO), India is championing a systems-thinking approach- where AI, IoT, and digital twins are leveraged not just for efficiency, but for ethical, inclusive, and climate-resilient solutions.

By embedding sustainability into everything from product design to smart infrastructure, India is not merely keeping pace with global sustainability trends, it is helping to set them. Through technology that empowers communities and protects the planet, India is building an ecosystem of innovation that serves as both a growth engine and a global model for regenerative progress.

As the world stands at a critical juncture National Technology Day 2025 serves as a clarion call to channel innovation toward sustainability, equity, and long-term impact. The call to empower Indian youth for global leadership in science and innovation highlights the urgent need to build a future that is inclusive, regenerative, and deeply aligned with the well-being of both people and the planet.

“Technology must be regenerative,” says Manoz Kumar Tirupati, Global Head of Transportation Design & Engineering at Tata Elxsi. “At Tata Elxsi, we are embedding sustainability across innovation—designing circular products, leveraging digital twins, and deploying AI and IoT for operational efficiency and environmental care.” This approach underscores a shift from linear thinking to circular innovation—one that ensures resources are reused, waste is minimized, and systems are transparent and traceable.

Echoing this, Anita Vijaykrishnan, VP, Engineering and India Leader at Honeywell Technology Solutions, emphasizes the transformative potential of innovation in driving climate resilience and inclusive growth. “At Honeywell, we are building smart, connected solutions tailored for India and the world—advancing technology that enables a sustainable and equitable future.” Her words reflect a broader commitment to localized solutions that scale globally while addressing the unique needs of Indian communities.

“Sustainability is not just a strategy—it’s our responsibility,” affirms Sooraj Balakrishnan, Associate Director & Head of Marketing at Acer India. “We’re empowering youth and driving digital inclusion while ensuring technology nurtures creativity and supports the planet.” At Acer, the message is clear: technology must enable—not just the privileged—but every segment of society, ensuring digital tools foster creativity, collaboration, and climate-consciousness.

Looking at the bigger picture, Mahesh Ramanujam, President & CEO of the Global Network for Zero, challenges us to rethink the role of innovation in a fragmented world:

“Innovation is not defined solely by breakthroughs, but by how advancements are deployed to shape integrated, sustainable systems. As India works toward its net-zero goals, the built environment must evolve into interconnected ecosystems. The path forward requires holistic strategies where every innovation in energy, design, and materials contributes to a regenerative, low-carbon future.”

His insight underscores the urgency of moving from isolated solutions to systemic thinking—where technology becomes an enabler of whole-system transformation, connecting energy grids, buildings, transport, and communities in a resilient digital fabric.

India’s moment: From adoption to leadership

The stories shared by industry leaders demonstrate that India is no longer just adopting global innovations—it is actively shaping the future of sustainable technology. From engineering circular economies to creating ethical AI, and from smart infrastructure to digitally inclusive ecosystems, Indian innovators are redefining what it means to build for a sustainable tomorrow.

As we mark this National Technology Day, let it be a reminder that true progress lies in purpose-driven innovation—where every byte, brick, and breakthrough helps build a more equitable, regenerative, and climate-resilient world.