India Prepares NSAM 2.0 as Additive Manufacturing Ecosystem Scales
- Over 154,000 workers trained in AM skills
- 65 indigenous 3D printing technologies developed
- 56 additive manufacturing startups funded
- Targeting 5% of global AM market
India has trained more than 154,000 specialists and backed 56 startups under its National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing, surpassing its initial human capital benchmarks. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is now preparing NSAM 2.0 to capture a larger share of a global machines market projected to hit $149 billion by 2035.
The policy push has moved 3D printing from institutional laboratories into operational defense and aerospace supply chains. Private space startup Agnikul Cosmos demonstrated an AM-printed single-piece semi-cryogenic rocket engine, while the Indian Army has deployed 3D-printed operational defenses in Ladakh alongside rapid-construction troop housing.
Healthcare and housing represent the next major commercial frontiers under the framework. Domestic medical startups are manufacturing customized silk-based bioceramic bone implants to cut import dependency, while automated construction printers have demonstrated 2,500-square-foot residential builds in under 30 days with 90 percent lower carbon emissions.
Seven specialized national deployment centres are now engineering domestic platforms across polymers, ceramics, and electronics-grade materials. The upcoming ESTIC-2026 conclave in New Delhi will spotlight these operational achievements and set cross-industry procurement guidelines for the next phase of domestic manufacturing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing?
Launched by MeitY in 2022, NSAM is India's national roadmap to capture 5% of the global additive manufacturing market and add $1 billion to national GDP.
What milestones were reached in the first phase of NSAM?
The initial phase trained over 154,000 personnel, supported 56 startups, and resulted in 65 India-specific 3D printing technologies and materials.
Which industries in India currently deploy additive manufacturing?
Key operational sectors include aerospace, defense infrastructure, custom medical implants, specialized electronics, and geopolymer-based construction.
Source
Press Information Bureau Backgrounder, Additive Manufacturing in India (Release ID: 2319954) · 2026-10-07
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