New Delhi, 09/09/2025: India has a major opportunity to become a global leader in the next big revolution in technology two-dimensional (2D) materials. A new report from NITI Aayog, the government’s top think tank, highlights how these materials can help India move beyond silicon-based technologies and take a lead in the semiconductor race. The report suggests that with the right policies, investment, and collaboration, India can set the pace for the future of computing and electronics.
2D materials are substances that are only a few atoms thick. Despite their thinness, they are incredibly strong around 200 times stronger than steel and they conduct electricity better than copper. Their unique qualities make them perfect for new kinds of electronic devices. For example, they could lead to foldable smartphones that do not break easily, ultra-thin screens that blend into surfaces, or chips that run faster while using less energy. In fact, transistors made from these materials can function at very low voltages, consuming five to ten times less power than today’s most advanced silicon chips. Memory and computing devices built with them could be 40% smaller, without losing speed or performance.
This is a big shift because silicon, which has powered the world’s technology for decades, is reaching its physical limits. Devices made from 2D materials could transform fields like computing, artificial intelligence, flexible electronics, quantum devices, and even energy systems. For India, the promise of 2D materials is not just about science it is about taking a leadership role in a trillion-dollar global industry.
However, NITI Aayog points out that India is still at the very early stages. Most work today focuses on producing these materials in labs and testing their basic properties. There is little progress in making layered designs, prototypes, or moving toward industrial production. To change this, the report calls for a national program that will build a complete ecosystem from research labs to manufacturing facilities dedicated to 2D materials. This would allow India to not just participate in the global semiconductor race but to shape it.
BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, stressed that India must decide whether it wants to merely catch up with others or lead the way. He said that by building strong research and manufacturing systems now, India can gain a first-mover advantage. Debjani Ghosh, who leads NITI’s Frontier Tech Hub, added that leadership in today’s world comes from setting standards and controlling supply chains. If India takes the initiative, it can write the rules of this emerging technology rather than simply following them.
There are already some signs of progress in India. Researchers at IIT Delhi recently developed an advanced computing device using a 2D material called tungsten diselenide. This device, called MOD-PC, can process both optical and electronic signals at the same time, much like how the human brain works. It does this faster and with far less power than conventional chips, showing how Indian labs are beginning to turn research into working prototypes.
To build on such progress, NITI Aayog recommends a 10-year national mission focused on 2D materials. This program would invest in research infrastructure, train skilled talent, and bring together government, academia, and industry to create real devices rather than just laboratory experiments. It also calls for India to engage globally to shape supply chains and international standards so that the country can become a co-leader in designing and deploying the technology.
The opportunity before India is huge. As silicon technology approaches its natural limits, the world is searching for what comes next. 2D materials are emerging as the answer, and India has a chance to lead in this new era. By acting quickly and strategically, India can shift from being a follower to a global frontrunner, securing technological independence while driving growth in areas such as artificial intelligence, defence, and quantum computing. The time to act is now, and with focus and determination, India can seize this turning point in technology history.
