New Delhi: Additive Manufacturing is steadily moving beyond prototype laboratories to emerge as a strategic pillar of India’s digital manufacturing ambitions, a theme that came into focus at the National Additive Manufacturing Symposium (NAMS) 2026 organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Held at the Scope Convention Centre, the symposium brought together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, startups and institutional stakeholders to deliberate on the future of Additive Manufacturing and its growing role in strengthening India’s manufacturing ecosystem.
The second edition of the NAMS served as a national platform to examine policy directions, technological developments, market opportunities and ecosystem-building initiatives required to accelerate the adoption across key sectors of the Indian economy.
The discussions reflected a growing consensus that Additive Manufacturing is evolving from a niche innovation tool to a technology with strategic importance for multiple industries and public sector initiatives.
Strategic Role of Additive Manufacturing
The event was inaugurated by several distinguished dignitaries including S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY; Pratyaya Amrit, Chief Secretary of Bihar; Rajiv Kumar Sahni, Director General of EME and Colonel Commandant, Indian Army; Amitesh Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary, MeitY; Anurag Yadav, Principal Secretary IT&E, Government of Uttar Pradesh; Bharath Reddy, Joint Director, ITE&C Department, Government of Telangana; and Sunita Verma, Scientist-G and Group Coordinator, R&D Electronics, MeitY.
Speaking at the event, S. Krishnan said:
“Additive Manufacturing is emerging as a sunrise sector where digital technologies integrate with physical manufacturing to strengthen India’s digital economy. He noted the significant progress since NAMS 2024 and highlighted the importance of building domestic capabilities in electronics components, capital goods and advanced materials, supported by collaborative initiatives across government, industry and academia.”
He further noted that additive manufacturing is playing a vital role in India’s manufacturing economy and that the government is supporting technology development—including machines for additive manufacturing, materials and products—through various strategies and incentives aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities.
Reports, Partnerships and Innovation Announcements
During the inaugural session, the report titled “India and Global Additive Manufacturing Ecosystem 2026” was released, providing insights into the evolving landscape of Additive Manufacturing in India and globally. The session also witnessed the exchange of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), the launch of Additive Manufacturing products and the announcement of a Grand Challenge winner.
The symposium featured multiple panel discussions addressing policy initiatives under NSAM 2.0, industry adoption trends, defence-related applications and the role of MeitY-supported research and development centres. Participants also discussed strategic collaboration opportunities across ministries, research institutions and industry stakeholders to expand the national Additive Manufacturing ecosystem.
These discussions underscored the government’s commitment to advancing digital manufacturing and strengthening India’s capabilities, while also highlighting the growing role of collaborative innovation across sectors.
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Broad Participation from Government, Industry and Academia
The symposium witnessed participation from officials representing multiple ministries, departments and state governments, reflecting increasing national interest in Additive Manufacturing as a transformative technology.
Representatives from the Department of Space, Ministry of Defence, Department of Atomic Energy, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy were present at the event along with representatives from the state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha and Telangana.
Experts from institutions including the Indian Army Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RR-CAT), National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and Ajay Kumar Garg Engineering College (AKGEC) also participated.
Industry representatives from companies such as Stratasys, Intech Additive Solutions, Solize Partners India, Sara Infoways, Pandaav Applications and Philips Additive joined the discussions, along with industry associations including Electronic Industries Association of India (ELCINA), India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), Additive Manufacturing Society of India (AMSI) and 3D Graphy.
The wide participation from government institutions, industry stakeholders, research organisations and startups highlighted the growing momentum around Additive Manufacturing in India and reinforced its expanding role in the country’s digital manufacturing future.
