The India Mobile Congress 2026 has introduced the Viksit Tech 47 initiative to help domestic tech startups scale globally. In partnership with Techarc, the program will audit 200 companies across AI, IoT, and SaaS sectors. This move highlights a focus on hardware self-reliance and design-led manufacturing, providing investors with insight into sectors aligning with national technological goals.
The India Mobile Congress 2026 has officially unveiled the Viksit Tech 47 initiative, a platform designed to shift the focus of Indian technology firms from local market leadership to global competitiveness. This program will be a major highlight at the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress, taking place from October 7 to 10 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre. The initiative involves a partnership with the research firm Techarc to conduct a data-backed audit of over 200 Indian companies, assessing their current standing in the international technology value chain.
The program targets critical growth areas, including artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and software-as-a-service. By analyzing these companies, the initiative aims to identify firms with the potential to become global powerhouses. This effort aligns with the government's Viksit Bharat vision, which emphasizes technological self-reliance and reducing dependency on foreign technology stacks.
A central feature of this initiative is the newly established Dr. Zarabi Indigenisation Award for Startups. This award aims to incentivize companies that are developing hardware and engineering components that were previously sourced through imports. By focusing on design-led manufacturing, the platform intends to encourage domestic production and reduce structural reliance on foreign technology providers. This aligns with broader industry trends where Indian manufacturers are increasingly focusing on the electronics supply chain.
The 2026 edition of the event is expected to attract significant international attention, with organizers projecting over 1.5 lakh visitors, including participants from more than 100 countries. With over 300 exhibitors showcasing more than 1,500 different technology use cases, the event aims to serve as a launchpad for domestic intellectual property rather than just a local exhibition. The theme of the congress, Scale Without Boundaries, marks a clear shift in the industry's approach to growth.
For investors, this initiative provides a clear signal on the areas receiving policy and industry support. The focus on hardware localization and the push for global scaling suggest that companies participating in these sectors, particularly those involved in design-led manufacturing or component production, could become central to the evolving tech landscape. Monitoring the progress of firms selected for audits or awards may offer insights into the companies gaining traction in these high-growth areas. The key monitorable will be the actual execution of these projects and the ability of domestic firms to successfully enter international markets.