APPSC Current Affairs October 9th 2026

Why in News?

• India’s National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing, introduced in 2022, is progressing towards its proposed NSAM 2.0 phase.
• Under the strategy, more than 1.54 lakh people have been trained, 56 start-ups supported and 65 India-specific technologies developed.
• The next phase will focus on commercialisation, intellectual property, digital integration, affordable machines and materials, defence applications and additive-manufacturing electronics.

What is Additive Manufacturing?

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a digital production process in which a three-dimensional object is created by adding material layer by layer according to a digital design.

It is commonly known as 3D printing.

Unlike conventional manufacturing, which often removes material from a larger block, additive manufacturing builds only the required shape.

It combines:

• computing;
• electronics;
• design software;
• artificial intelligence;
• automation; and
• material science.

More than 40 additive-manufacturing processes are currently available or under research and development.

How Does Additive Manufacturing Work?

Virtual Design

The object is first created as a digital model using:

• Computer-Aided Design;
• a three-dimensional scanner; or
• AI-based tools that can generate models from photographs.

STL File

The digital model is generally converted into an STL or Standard Tessellation Language file.

An STL file represents the surface of a three-dimensional object through a collection of triangular surfaces.

Slicing

Slicing software divides the digital model into hundreds or thousands of thin horizontal layers.

It generates instructions for the machine about:

• the shape of each layer;
• material deposition;
• movement of the printing head; and
• printing sequence.

Printing

The additive-manufacturing machine reads the sliced file and deposits or fuses material layer by layer.

Final Object

The layers are joined to form a complete three-dimensional object. The printed component may undergo finishing, heat treatment, polishing or other post-processing before commercial use.

Which Materials are Used?

Thermoplastics

Common thermoplastics include:

• Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene;
• polycarbonate;
• Polylactic Acid; and
• Polyvinyl Alcohol.

Water-soluble PVA is often used for temporary support structures that can later be dissolved.

Metals

Additive manufacturing can use:

• stainless steel;
• titanium;
• aluminium;
• gold;
• silver; and
• other metal alloys.

Metal printing is important for aerospace, defence, medical implants and high-performance engineering.

Ceramics

Materials include:

• zirconia;
• alumina;
• tricalcium phosphate; and
• glass-based materials.

Biomaterials

• Biomaterials such as silicon, calcium phosphate and zinc can be used for bone-support structures.
• Researchers are also studying bio-inks containing living cells to produce tissues, blood-vessel structures and organ-like models. Most complex organ-printing applications remain at the research stage.

Composites and Semiconductor-grade Materials

Advanced composites and specialised materials are being developed for electronics, photonics, energy storage and strategic applications.

Additive and Conventional Manufacturing

What is the Global Opportunity?

• The global additive-manufacturing machines market is projected to reach USD 149 billion by 2035.
• The additive-manufacturing electronics supply chain is expected to grow from approximately USD 18 billion to USD 112 billion.
• India has opportunities to manufacture AM platforms using:
  • polymers;
  • metals;
  • composites;
  • ceramics; and
  • semiconductor-grade materials.

What are its Major Applications in India?

Space and Aerospace

Additive manufacturing enables the production of:

• lightweight components;
• complex engine parts;
• components with fewer joints;
• rapidly developed prototypes; and
• customised space hardware.

In May 2024, IIT Madras-incubated Agnikul Cosmos launched Agnibaan SOrTeD, which featured a single-piece, additively manufactured semi-cryogenic rocket engine.

Defence

The technology can support:

• rapid production of spare parts;
• repair and maintenance in remote areas;
• field-level manufacturing;
• construction of military structures; and
• reduced dependence on long supply chains.

The Indian Army inaugurated its first additively manufactured two-storey dwelling unit at Ahmedabad, built in 12 weeks. The technology has also been applied to precast defence structures in areas such as Ladakh.

NSAM is supporting workshop-level facilities for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul across the three Armed Forces.

Healthcare

AM enables products customised according to a patient’s anatomy.

Applications include:

• implants;
• prosthetics;
• surgical guides;
• dental products;
• bone grafts; and
• anatomical models.

MeitY-supported start-up OsteoForge is working on natural silk-based implants. The Technology Development Board is supporting customised bone grafts made from indigenous bioceramic materials.

Electronics

India’s AM centres have demonstrated printed:

• batteries;
• antennas;
• varistors;
• capacitors; and
• other electronic components.

The Indian Institute of Science has demonstrated photonic integrated-circuit blocks using additive-manufacturing technology.

NSAM is also developing concrete-based supercapacitors for solar-energy storage.

Construction

Three-dimensional construction printing can:

• reduce construction time;
• minimise material waste;
• lower logistics requirements;
• improve design flexibility; and
• enable faster housing development.

The Kelvin 6K Pro on-site construction printer demonstrated the capacity to construct a 2,500 sq ft house in less than 30 days using low-carbon geopolymer material.

Early applications indicate the potential for:

• nearly 30% lower material and logistics costs; and
• up to 90% lower emissions compared with conventional cement-based construction.

These outcomes will depend on materials, energy sources, design and project conditions.

What is the National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing?

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology released the National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing in February 2022.

It is aligned with:

• Make in India;
• Atmanirbhar Bharat;
• Digital India; and
• Viksit Bharat 2047.

The strategy promotes cooperation among:

• Union and State governments;
• industries;
• start-ups;
• universities; and
• research institutions.

What are the Targets of NSAM?

The strategy aims to:

• capture 5% of the global AM market;
• add nearly USD 1 billion to India’s GDP;
• develop 50 India-specific AM technologies;
• nurture 100 new start-ups;
• develop 500 new products;
• train one lakh skilled workers; and
• build AM capabilities across 10 existing and emerging manufacturing sectors.

Seven specialised Development and Deployment Centres have been established for:

• research and development;
• skilling;
• technology demonstration; and
• industry access to AM facilities.

What Progress has been Achieved?

More than four years after the launch of NSAM:

• more than 1,54,000 individuals have been trained;
• 56 AM start-ups have received support; and
• 65 India-specific technologies have been developed.

These technologies cover:

• materials;
• machines;
• Design for Additive Manufacturing;
• processes; and
• printed products.
• Applications have emerged in aerospace, healthcare, electronics, energy, food processing and photonics.

What is NSAM 2.0?

NSAM 2.0 is being conceptualised to move India’s AM ecosystem from research and prototypes towards large-scale commercialisation.

Proposed Priorities

• Accelerate generation of intellectual property rights
• Digitally integrate the AM ecosystem
• Commercialise globally competitive technologies
• Reduce the cost of machines and materials through clusters
• Strengthen the AM-electronics value chain
• Expand the start-up base
• Support defence applications
• Promote SDG-oriented pilot programmes
• Develop international standards
• Encourage joint research and technology partnerships

What are the Supporting Platforms?

National Additive Manufacturing Symposium

The National Additive Manufacturing Symposium brings together:

• policymakers;
• scientists;
• industries;
• start-ups;
• academia; and
• government institutions.

The second edition was organised by MeitY on 13 March 2026 in New Delhi.

It focused on:

• NSAM 2.0;
• defence adoption;
• industry requirements;
• MeitY-supported research centres;
• inter-ministerial coordination; and
• ecosystem partnerships.

ESTIC 2026

The second Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave is scheduled for 27–29 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

• Organiser: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
• Theme: “Creative Minds, Catalyzing Science, Empowering Technologies”
• It will cover 12 thematic areas, including additive manufacturing and other emerging technologies.

Atal Tinkering Labs

Atal Tinkering Labs expose students from Classes VI–XII to:

• 3D printing;
• robotics;
• Internet of Things; and
• Do-it-Yourself innovation.

Each laboratory receives a grant of ₹20 lakh for an innovation workspace of around 1,200–1,500 sq ft.

What is the Significance of Additive Manufacturing?

Technological Self-reliance

Domestic development of machines, software and materials can reduce import dependence.

Faster Innovation

Digital designs can be quickly converted into prototypes and tested without expensive tooling.

Strategic Security

Local production of critical components can strengthen defence, space and medical supply chains.

Mass Customisation

AM can produce personalised medical devices and specialised industrial components in small quantities.

Resource Efficiency

Layer-wise production can reduce material waste compared with conventional machining.

Distributed Manufacturing

Digital designs can be transmitted and manufactured near the point of use, reducing transport and inventory requirements.

Start-up and Employment Generation

AM creates opportunities in:

• design;
• software;
• material science;
• machine manufacturing;
• maintenance;
• healthcare; and
• advanced engineering.

Industry 5.0

The technology supports flexible, intelligent and human-centred manufacturing through automation, digital production and customisation.

What are the Major Challenges?

High Cost

Industrial AM machines, metal powders, specialised materials and post-processing equipment remain expensive.

Import Dependence

India continues to depend on imported machines, advanced materials and critical components.

Standardisation and Certification

Defence, aerospace and medical products require strict standards for safety, quality and reliability.

Skill Gap

India needs trained professionals in design, material science, machine operation, simulation and post-processing.

Quality Consistency

Maintaining identical strength, density and surface finish across multiple production batches can be difficult.

Limited Commercial Scale

Many Indian AM applications remain at the prototype or demonstration stage.

Intellectual Property and Cybersecurity

Since production depends on digital files, theft or manipulation of designs can compromise commercial interests and product safety.

Environmental Concerns

Although AM can reduce material waste, its overall sustainability depends on:

• energy consumption;
• material source;
• recyclability;
• emissions from printing; and
• post-processing requirements.

Way Forward

• Develop indigenous AM machines, materials and design software.
• Establish common standards and certification laboratories.
• Promote affordable shared facilities for MSMEs and start-ups.
• Expand Design for Additive Manufacturing training.
• Connect research institutions with manufacturing clusters.
• Provide financial support for commercialisation and market testing.
• Strengthen cybersecurity and intellectual-property protection for digital designs.
• Promote low-energy machines and recyclable materials.
• Use government procurement to support certified indigenous products.
• Build international partnerships while protecting strategic technologies.

Conclusion

Additive manufacturing can transform India’s production system from conventional mass manufacturing towards flexible, digital and customised production. NSAM has created a foundation through skilling, start-up support and indigenous technology development. NSAM 2.0 must now focus on affordability, certification, commercialisation and domestic supply chains. A strong AM ecosystem can advance Atmanirbhar Bharat, Industry 5.0 and Viksit Bharat 2047.