The government is set to roll out an ambitious new initiative aimed at transforming India’s industrial and employment landscape. Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Centre will soon launch the ‘Create in India’ mission, a forward-looking programme designed to strengthen industries, generate employment, and build a future-ready talent pipeline.
Vaishnaw described the mission as industry-driven and employment-focused, with a clear objective of making India the most preferred global platform for innovation and production. He stressed that the initiative would not dilute existing strengths but would instead complement and enhance them. According to him, many developed countries are already treating AI-led transformation as a benchmark, and India intends to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape.
At a time when artificial intelligence is triggering debates around job displacement, the minister struck a confident tone. He acknowledged global concerns but maintained that India’s growing talent base places it in a strong position. He said that the country’s natural growth in skilled manpower is robust and that the government is actively promoting this expansion. Rather than viewing AI as a threat, the government sees it as an enabler of productivity and innovation across sectors.
The Create in India mission is expected to focus on strengthening existing industrial capabilities while encouraging emerging technologies. It aims to generate new employment avenues by integrating AI into manufacturing, services, and creative industries. The broader strategy revolves around skill development, global collaboration, and innovation-friendly policies that protect both businesses and creators.
A key component of this vision was already introduced in Budget 2026, where the government announced the establishment of content creator labs in 15,000 schools across the country. These labs will expose students to cutting-edge technologies, nurture creativity, and provide early training in digital and AI-based tools. Industry collaboration will play a major role in setting up and running these labs, ensuring that students receive practical exposure alongside academic learning.
Vaishnaw also highlighted India’s strong academic ecosystem, particularly in the semiconductor sector, where 350 universities host some of the world’s brightest students. He expressed confidence that a similar ecosystem will emerge in artificial intelligence, creating a steady stream of highly trained professionals ready to power the next wave of innovation.
Addressing concerns that AI could undermine human creativity, the minister rejected the idea outright. He emphasized that technology and creativity are not rivals but partners. AI, he said, is here to stay and should be seen as an opportunity for growth rather than a challenge to human storytelling. However, he underlined the need for a strong copyright and intellectual property framework to ensure that creators’ rights are protected. Any system that respects human contribution and strengthens innovation, he noted, is a system worth building.
The government is also focusing heavily on AI diffusion and adoption. The aim is not just to develop advanced tools but to ensure they are widely implemented across industries. By doing so, India hopes to unlock productivity gains in manufacturing, services, media, and creative fields. The emphasis is on creating win-win partnerships that benefit both technology developers and traditional industries.
Vaishnaw compared adapting to new technology to a fish taking to water, suggesting that India has the agility and talent needed to thrive in the AI era. His remarks reflected a broader policy approach that balances rapid technological adoption with responsible regulation.
The timing of the Create in India mission is significant. As the global AI race intensifies, countries are competing to establish themselves as hubs of innovation. India’s strategy combines industrial growth, skill development, regulatory safeguards, and global cooperation. The mission signals the government’s intent to position India not merely as a participant but as a leader in the AI-driven global economy.
If executed effectively, the Create in India mission could redefine India’s employment and industrial framework over the coming decade. By strengthening domestic capabilities, encouraging innovation, and nurturing a skilled workforce, the government aims to ensure that technological progress translates into inclusive economic growth.