India’s industrial ambitions are soaring, but experts warn that the country’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) must evolve rapidly to keep pace. At an event in Chennai hosted by ASME India, leaders stressed that technological sovereignty and a resilient domestic supply chain are non-negotiable for strategic autonomy.

  • ASME India is collaborating with IITs and IISc on nuclear engineering curricula.
  • Demand in nuclear and defense sectors is rising, requiring capable MSME partners.
  • Experts urge MSMEs to move beyond blueprint manufacturing to owning specifications.

Building a Foundation for Growth

Madhukar Sharma, President of ASME India, highlighted efforts to expand nuclear engineering education at institutions like IIT Bombay and IIT Madras. The goal is clear: develop certified manufacturers and professional engineers to fuel India’s next industrial decade. With demand surging in critical sectors, tier-one firms are hungry for reliable supply chain partners.

The Expertise Gap

Air Marshal M. Matheswaran, an Indian Air Force veteran and President of the Peninsula Foundation, pinpointed the challenge. It’s not just about design—metallurgy, reliability, and decades of experiential knowledge are what separate good manufacturers from great ones. Textbooks alone won’t cut it; iterative experience matters.

“The main gap is not only design but metallurgy, reliability, and the experiential knowledge built over decades. Textbooks are insufficient and iterative experience matters.”

A Call to Action

The message from Chennai is urgent and hopeful. For India to truly stand on its own industrially, its MSMEs must climb the value chain—shifting from simply following blueprints to mastering specifications. The journey has begun, but the path demands collaboration, education, and a relentless focus on quality.