(Online Course) Contemporary Issues for IAS Mains 2012: Govt. Plans Programmes & Policies - Information Technology

Initiatives Taken to Improve Indian Economy

Question : Information Technology

Answer:

The draft National Policy on Electronics released on 3.10.2011 provides a roadmap for the development of the sector in the country. The draft Policy envisions creating a globally competitive Electronics System Design and Manufacturing industry including nano-electronics to meet the country’s needs and serve the international market.

The Indian IT-BPO industry reached the significant milestone of $ 100 billion in this year. The electronics hardware manufacturing sector has been identified as a thrust area and a number of steps have been taken for the promotion of this industry. The policy for preference to domestically manufactured electronic goods in procurement due to security considerations and in Government procurement was notified in February, 2012.

The National Knowledge Network is being set up to interconnect all institutions of higher learning and research with a highspeed data communication network to facilitate knowledge-sharing and collaborative research. A core backbone, consisting of 21 points of presence has been established, with 2.5 Gbps capacity. Around 681 institutions of higher learning and advanced research have been connected to the network and 52 virtual classrooms set up. The Optical Fibre Network today has reached state capitals, district HQs and block HQs. Under the National Optical Fibre Network, all 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats in the country will be connected through optical fibre. The Project will be funded by the government at an estimated cost of ` 20,000 Crore over 2 years.

Go Back To Main Page