Lok Sabha Question No. 2503 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: Preparedness of Metaverse
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: E. T. Mohammed Basheer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2503

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 15.3.2023

## PREPAREDNESS  OF METAVERSE

## 2503. SHRI  E.T.  MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  India  has  entered    into  the  Preparedness  of  Metaverse  which  may  supersede    the internet; and
- (b) if so, the level of planning India has done so far in  this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE  FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR)

(a) and (b): Metaverse is the latest variant of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality and is one of the basket of emerging technologies that take future of internet through AI, Web 3.0, IOT, 6G etc. Metaverse  and  innovation  around  Metaverse,  government  is  committed  in  ensuring  support  to startups and fostering the growth of the Metaverse, AR/VR innovation system as part of its digital technology initiatives. The various initiatives taken by the Government are as follows:

- i. Government has published the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in June 2018 and proposes to develop an ecosystem for the research and adoption of Artificial Intelligence i.e. #AI for ALL.
- ii. With  the  vision  to  make  India  a  global  leader  in  AI  space  and  to  ensure  responsible  and transformational  use  of  AI  for  All,  MeitY  has  undertaken  the  implementation  of  the 'National Program on Artificial Intelligence'. The program aims to establish a comprehensive  program  for  leveraging  transformative  technologies  to  foster  inclusion, innovation, and adoption for social impact.
- iii. MeitY has released National Strategy on Blockchain. This document provides strategies and recommendations  for  the  Indian  Blockchain  ecosystem  to  harness  the  benefits  of  this emerging technology by focusing on technological and administrative aspects.
- iv. MeitY has also established Centres of Excellence in various emerging technologies including Artificial  Intelligence,  Internet  of  Things,  Blockchain,  Virtual  &  Augmented  Reality, Computer  Vision  etc.  to  explore  opportunities  in  these  specialized  fields.  These  centres provide start-ups  with  premium  plug-and-play  co-working  spaces and access to the ecosystem.
- v. Department of Science & Technology is implementing the National Mission on Interdisciplinary  Cyber-Physical  Systems  (NM-ICPS)  to  promote  R&D,  Human  Resource Development (HRD), Technology Development, Entrepreneurship Development, International  Collaboration  etc.  As  part  of  this  Mission  25  Technology  Innovation  Hubs (TIHs)  in  advanced  technologies  have  been  established  in  reputed  institutes  across  the country.
- vi. MeitY  has  initiated  'FutureSkills  PRIME'  a  programme  for  Re-skilling/Up-skilling  of  IT Manpower for Employability in 10 new/emerging technologies. These include AI, Blockchain,  Robotics,  Big  Data  &  Analytics,  IoT,  Virtual  Reality,  Cybersecurity,  Cloud Computing, 3D Printing and Web 3.0.

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