Raksha Rajya Mantri Chaired the 15th Defence Information Technology Consultative Committee Meeting in New Delhi

Why in news

Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth chaired the 15th meeting of the Defence Information Technology Consultative Committee (DITCC) in New Delhi.

Exam relevance

GS2, GS3 · Internal Security, Science & Technology, Governance · Prelims · Mains

Key facts

1. The 15th meeting of the Defence Information Technology Consultative Committee (DITCC) was chaired by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth.
2. The meeting was conducted by Headquarter Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) in New Delhi.
3. Emphasis was laid on Aatma-Nirbharta in IT and the adoption of cutting-edge enablers in a time-bound manner.
4. Important policy decisions were deliberated by Subject Matter Experts on the use of disruptive technologies in Defence Services.
5. Discussions covered indigenisation of advanced chip manufacturing, development of sovereign Operating System and Data Base, and strategic siting of data centres for Defence needs.
6. The Committee cleared projects expected to benefit Defence Forces and national technological developmental processes, aligning with the 'Viksit-Bharat' vision.
7. Attendees included officers from HQ IDS, Army, Navy, Air Force, Defence Research and Development Organisation, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, academia, and industry.

Prelims pointers

• The Defence Information Technology Consultative Committee (DITCC) is chaired by the Raksha Rajya Mantri.
• DITCC meetings are conducted by Headquarter Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS).
• Key focus areas of DITCC include Aatma-Nirbharta in IT, disruptive technologies, indigenisation of chip manufacturing, sovereign Operating Systems and Databases, and strategic data centres.
• The committee's decisions align with the government's 'Viksit-Bharat' vision.

Mains practice question

Discuss the significance of indigenisation and adoption of disruptive technologies in strengthening India's defence capabilities, with reference to the deliberations of the Defence Information Technology Consultative Committee (DITCC).

Static linkage

The Defence Information Technology Consultative Committee (DITCC) plays a crucial role in shaping India's defence technology policy, aligning with national initiatives like Aatma-Nirbhar Bharat and the broader vision of Viksit Bharat, by focusing on indigenisation and adoption of advanced technologies for strategic autonomy and modern warfare.

Significance

The DITCC meeting underscores India's commitment to achieving self-reliance in defence IT and leveraging disruptive technologies to modernize its armed forces. By focusing on indigenisation of chip manufacturing, sovereign operating systems, and secure data infrastructure, it aims to enhance strategic autonomy, reduce reliance on foreign technologies, and strengthen national security in the evolving landscape of warfare. The clearance of projects with far-reaching benefits also highlights the potential for defence sector advancements to contribute to overall national technological development.