India’s rural regions face a significant technology gap, which hinders socio-economic development and perpetuates inequalities between urban and rural areas. Bridging this gap is essential for achieving inclusive growth, improving living standards, and fostering resilience in rural communities.
Thus, the Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG), established by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), serves as a pivotal mechanism. It is responsible for delivering tailored science and technology solutions to meet the needs of rural communities. Operating through centers at seven IITs—Madras, Guwahati, Kharagpur, Roorkee, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kanpur, it focuses on demand-driven innovations to address grassroots technological gaps, aiming to improve livelihoods, reduce labor-intensive work, and foster sustainable rural development.
The approach is characterized by its emphasis on identifying and addressing the unique technological challenges faced by rural populations. By collaborating with NGOs, SHGs, community organizations, startups, and technology incubators, RuTAG ensures that its interventions are both relevant and effective. It includes upgrading traditional knowledge through appropriate technology and developing regionally relevant solutions aligned with national priorities. It is validating innovations through impact studies, and facilitating the commercialization of scalable technologies for broader adoption.
Over the years, RuTAG has built an impressive portfolio of solutions in agriculture, energy, water management, textiles, and handicrafts. Among its notable innovations are mechanized rollers for handcrafted woolen felt, portable cow lifts for assisting downer cows, solar thermal dryers, and motorized coir spinning machines. These innovations have significantly enhanced productivity, increased rural incomes, and reduced manual drudgery.
The first annual review meeting of RuTAG 2.0 projects that was held in December 2024 in Srinagar highlighted the government’s commitment to sustainable, high-quality rural innovations. It was stressed that meeting global quality and sustainability standards can unlock untapped opportunities for rural communities, helping them compete globally.
Even the RuTAG logo symbolizes a unified visual identity to strengthen communication and cooperation among stakeholders. The cross-collaboration for scaling technologies, refining designs, and expanding adoption across similar regions have been pivotal in bridging the urban-rural technology divide, to improve rural livelihoods. Through this approach involving innovation, capacity building, and robust infrastructure development, it will promote the adoption of eco-friendly technologies, reducing resource depletion and pollution for inclusive and sustainable growth.