Additive Manufacturing gains momentum in India as government prepares NSAM 2.0
- IBEF
- October 8, 2026
India is strengthening its Additive Manufacturing (AM) ecosystem, with more than 1.54 lakh people trained, 56 start-ups supported and 65 India-specific technologies developed under the National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing (NSAM). Commonly known as 3D printing, AM uses digital designs to manufacture physical objects through the layer-by-layer deposition of materials and is being adopted across aerospace, defence, healthcare, electronics and construction. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched NSAM in February 2022 to develop domestic capabilities in 3D printing and AM, aligned with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. The strategy aims to capture 5% of the global AM market, contribute nearly Rs. 9,487 crore (US$ 1 billion) to India’s GDP, nurture 100 start-ups, develop 500 new products and train one lakh skilled workers.
AM capabilities are being applied across aerospace, medical devices, electronics, energy, food processing and photonics. In the space sector, IIT Madras-incubated start-up Agnikul Cosmos launched Agnibaan SOrTeD in May 2024, featuring a single-piece, additively manufactured semi-cryogenic rocket engine. The Indian Army has also adopted AM for infrastructure and maintenance applications, while MeitY-backed initiatives are supporting 3D-printed medical devices and electronic components. The construction sector is exploring 3D printing for faster and more sustainable building methods. The government has established seven specialised Development and Deployment Centres and is promoting 3D printing exposure through Atal Tinkering Labs. NSAM 2.0 is being conceptualised to focus on Intellectual Property Rights generation, digital integration, commercialisation, affordability of AM machines and materials, start-ups, defence applications and international cooperation. The second National Additive Manufacturing Symposium was held in New Delhi on March 13, 2026, while emerging AM technologies will also be showcased at ESTIC-2026 in October.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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