Telangana poised to steer India to Industry 5.0, CII-EY report

Telangana poised to lead India's transition to Industry 5.0 with focus on innovation, sustainability, and workforce development.

Telangana with its strengths in various industries, technology innovation ecosystem and policy measures is well positioned to lead India’s transition from Industry 4.0 to 5.0, according to a CII Telangana – EY report.

Dwelling into multiple aspects of the transition to what is also perceived as the next phase of technology-driven industrial revolution, it said Telangana’s pharmaceutical, automotive and electronics sectors have already begun deploying cutting-edge technologies to create human-centric, smart factories.

Industry 5.0 will build on digital foundations of Industry 4.0 with a thrust on introducing collaborative robotics (cobots), Generative AI and sustainable manufacturing principles. Some of the key facets will be move towards mass personalisation or a shift away from existing mass production to consumer-driven customisation; human-machine collaboration with a focus on augmenting human creativity and decision-making with advanced AI and automation; and embedding environmental stewardship into core industrial practices for sustainability.

Chalking a roadmap, the report, which was launched at the CII Telangana annual session and conference here on Saturday, said harnessing GenAI, enhancing focus on cybersecurity and a transition to green manufacturing will be the key stages. Telangana government is playing a catalytic role with policy measures such as the TG-iPASS to streamline industrial clearances, thrust on development of infrastructure such as Hyderabad Pharma City and a focus on skill development.

A Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) assessments or digital maturity audits; maximising efficiency before scaling digital transformation; leverage Industry 4.0 for the transformation; Test Industry 5.0 technologies before large-scale adoption; and expand gradually while training the workforce will be some of the measures industry ought to adopt for a smooth transition, the report said.

Telangana can become a leader in human-centric, sustainable manufacturing, leveraging emerging technologies like Generative AI, cobots, and cybersecurity to secure its position in the global manufacturing ecosystem. This transition will create a robust, future-ready industrial landscape while fostering innovation, sustainability and workforce development, EY said in the report.

Addressing the conference, EY India managing partner Rohan Sachdev said global capability centres (GCCs) have emerged as centres of innovation. There are about 7,000 startups, 51 incubation centres and around 300 investors in Hyderabad and Telangana has emerged as innovation hub in the recent times. He urged entrepreneurs to leverage Telangana’s world-class infrastructure and talent pool to drive the next phase of innovation and growth.