29 December 2022

Takshashila Open SlideDoc - An Open Tech Strategy for India (A Working Draft)

Nitin Pai, Pranay Kotasthane, Bharath Reddy

Executive Summary

This is a working draft that we would like people to contribute to. In the spirit of open source, we invite contributors to build on and add to the ideas in this document. If you have any feedback or would like to contribute to any of the sections in this document, please contact us at research@takshashila.org.in or raise it as an issue on this GitHub repository.

"Open Tech" refers to technology that is transparent, inclusive and embodies the freedom to use, study, modify and redistribute to the maximum extent possible.

The definitions of open-source software, open standards, and open-source hardware are well understood. "Open Tech" is used as an umbrella term that includes all of these technology areas.

Open Tech can help India achieve techno-strategic autonomy, economic growth, technology leadership, and skill development. Transparency and inclusivity also help foster trust, broaden access to technology and further democratic values.

We recommend a range of policy initiatives for software, hardware and standards that will nurture a sustainable Open Tech ecosystem.

Software

Adopt an open-source first policy in government procurement


Establish an open source programme office to coordinate policies, use and contribution of open source software (OSS) across government bodies


Inculcate OSS skills in the education curriculum


Fund existing open-source projects of interest to the government and public


Nurture a sustainable OSS community


Mandate acknowledgement of OSS Use

Hardware

Co-create robust open-source hardware products with like-minded partners

Award grants for open-source electronic design automation (EDA) tools


Open-Source the process design kit (PDK) of government research fabs

Standards

Promote the adoption of open standards


Participate actively in standards development organisations (SDOs)


Facilitate the development of open standards

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