Dependence on foreign software not only increased costs but also created vulnerabilities., says Narayan
Hyderabad: India’s dependence on foreign engineering software must end if the country is to achieve true self-reliance in space technology and manufacturing, said Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) chairman V. Narayanan, highlighting the role of its software like FEAST (finite element analysis of structures).
Narayanan said software like FEAST would be crucial in the human spaceflight programme, Bharatiya Antariksh Station and Next Generation Launch Vehicles (NGLVs). Dependence on foreign software not only increased costs but also created vulnerabilities. “We need to build and rely on our tools,” he told the the 8th National Finite Element Developers’/FEAST Users’ Meet (NAFED08), hosted at IIT Hyderabad.
At the event, Isro’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) unveiled FEAST 2025, the latest version of the software which has been under development for years. Dr S. Unnikrishnan Nair, director, VSSC, noted that over 4,000 FEAST licenses had been issued across India, helping institutions and industries move away from proprietary foreign software. He also spoke about Pravaha, an indigenous computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, which is nearing a commercial launch.
IIT Hyderabad director Prof. B.S. Murty explained how FEAST contributed to India’s manufacturing sector and aligns with the Make in India initiative. “When we see Indian-made products, technologies and software being used globally, it reflects our journey towards becoming a developed nation,” he said, adding that IIT Hyderabad is ready to collaborate further on indigenous engineering solutions.
The event brought together over 250 participants from academia, industry, and research institutions, making IIT Hyderabad the first second-generation IIT to host the event. The two-day programme featured discussions on structural dynamics, finite element modeling, uncertainty quantification and thermal analysis.
Industry representatives from Lyra Infosystems, SVR Robotics and Marconi Technologies presented their work in structural simulation. Competitions, technical sessions and an exhibition showcasing FEAST’s evolution were also held. The event concluded with a call for greater academic and industry participation in the development of homegrown engineering software, reinforcing India’s push for self-reliance in critical technology sectors.
