Union Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Monday that the government is working on a strategy that will help the industry create an ecosystem to develop an indigenous operating system as an alternative to Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS.

Mobile phones are currently dominated by two operating systems: Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS, which are also driving the hardware ecosystem, according to the minister in an interview with PTI.

“There is no third one. Therefore, in a lot of ways there is tremendous interest in MeitY and in the Government of India to even create a new handset operating system. We are talking to people. We are looking at a policy for that,” Chandrasekhar said.

He stated that the government is searching for expertise to develop an indigenous operating system inside the startup and academic ecosystems (OS).

The operating system (OS) is the core program of any computer or mobile device, and it integrates the whole hardware and software system to ensure that the OS runs smoothly.

“If there is some real capability then we will be very much interested in developing that area because that will create an alternative to iOS and Android which then an Indian brand can grow,” Chandrasekhar said.

Most policies and policy tools, according to the minister, are being re-evaluated in the context of redefining goals and ambitions. He and Minister of Communications and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the second volume of the ICEA’s Vision Document on Electronics Manufacturing, which includes Apple, Lava, Foxconn, Dixon, and others.

“Important is to have clear goals. Once we have clear goals and what is that we have to achieve than all the policies and actions will be consistent with it,” Chandrasekhar said.

The document lays out a plan to increase electronics production in the country to USD 300 billion by 2026, up from the present level of USD 75 billion.

“This report is very precise which talks about where USD 300 billion will come, what industry has to do and what the government needs to do. This is an example of how industry and government should set targets for the country. The manufacturing will be USD 300 billion and exports worth USD 120 billion will happen. This is the government of India’s objective now,” Chandrasekhar said.

India’s electronics exports are currently valued at roughly USD 15 billion. The Prime Minister’s desire and the Ministry of Electronics and IT’s (MeitY) goal, according to the minister, is to establish homegrown champions in each of the top product categories.

He said that the Prime Minister has cleaned up the financial market and that India has become one of the top recipients of both foreign direct investment and equity.

“The number of foreign banks has increased in India. For the first time, the stock market and public markets are financing and investing in technology start-ups and companies. That kind of transformation has happened. Today Lava, Dixon or Boat, or any of these companies can raise capital, equity which they did not have six years ago,” the minister said.

He stated that the production-linked incentive tool will continue to stimulate diverse manufacturing segments, but that the definition of a technology product and which ministry should be in charge of it will be determined.