Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently sparked a major debate by urging Indian startups to shift away from consumer services like grocery or ice cream delivery and instead focus on deep-tech innovations like AI, robotics, and machine learning. Backing him was boAt co-founder Aman Gupta, who echoed the call for India to “dream bigger” and build globally competitive technologies.
But is India truly ready for this deep-tech revolution?
What Did Piyush Goyal Say?
While addressing the Startup Mahakumbh, Piyush Goyal said:
“Are we going to be happy being delivery boys and girls? This is not a startup; this is entrepreneurship.”
He pointed out that only 1,000 out of 1.57 lakh recognised Indian startups are currently in deep-tech sectors and emphasized that this needs to change for India to achieve its 2047 development goals.
Aman Gupta’s Support
Entrepreneur Aman Gupta shared his thoughts on X, saying:
“It’s not every day that the government asks founders to dream bigger… If we want to be No.1, we must go deep into AI, climate tech, and infrastructure.”
He called for:
- Scientific risk-taking
- More patient capital
- Founders–policymaker collaboration
- A national vision for innovation
The Deep-Tech Push: Ambitious, but Are We Ready?
While the advice is powerful, experts and the public alike are asking an important question: Is India prepared for a deep-tech transformation?
1. Public Knowledge Gap: AI Still a Mystery for Many
While AI is booming globally, in India, most ordinary people don’t truly understand it. Many can recognize an AI-generated video or deepfake, but they don’t know how it’s made — or how dangerous or useful it can be.
Even today:
- Parents mistake fake AI videos for real scandals
- Fights and panic break out over content people don’t understand
- The digital literacy gap is turning AI into a tool of fear instead of opportunity
Before pushing for deep-tech startups, India must first educate its people — not just engineers, but everyday citizens — about the basics of AI and digital tools.
2. Is Engineering Syllabus or Coursera Enough?
India has added AI and robotics to many engineering courses, and online platforms like Coursera and edX offer plenty of certifications.
But is that enough?
Not really — because:
- Most engineering colleges still teach AI without real-world application
- Students often focus on placements, not projects
- Rural colleges lack labs or trained faculty to teach emerging tech
- Online courses are helpful, but only accessible to those with internet, devices, and motivation
If India wants to become a tech-powered economy, education must go beyond theory:
- AI bootcamps in schools
- Public awareness programs
- Regional language courses
- Hands-on training in tier-2 and tier-3 towns
What India Needs to Do for Real Change
To make this vision a reality, we need:
- Widespread AI awareness campaigns, like we did with digital banking or Swachh Bharat
- Tech labs and R&D hubs in smaller cities and colleges
- Startup–school partnerships for hands-on learning
- National policy to encourage ethical, inclusive AI development
India’s youth are ambitious — but they need tools, mentorship, and understanding to build world-class deep-tech ventures.
Key Questions to Ask
- Can we scale deep-tech when basic digital literacy is missing in many parts of the country?
- Should AI education become a part of school-level curriculum too?
- How do we ensure rural India is not left behind in this tech wave?
- Are Indian families ready to trust and embrace AI-powered solutions?
Final Thoughts
The ambition is clear: India wants to be a leader in AI, robotics, and innovation.
But a strong house needs a solid foundation. If most people still fear or misunderstand AI, how can we expect them to build with it?
Piyush Goyal and Aman Gupta are right to challenge Indian startups to think big — but India must also ensure its people, not just its engineers, are prepared to understand, trust, and participate in this transformation.
If India wants to lead the tech future, it’s not just about moving beyond grocery — it’s about making sure everyone understands what’s being built, and why it matters.
