India’s roadmap to becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse witnessed a defining moment on June 14, 2025, as Mumbai’s ITC Maratha hosted the National Awards for Manufacturing Competitiveness (NAMC) 2025. Organized by the International Research Institute for Manufacturing (IRIM), this prestigious annual event brought together India’s top manufacturing leaders, technocrats, and policymakers to celebrate industrial innovation and excellence.
The awards ceremony followed the 7th Manufacturing Thought Leaders’ Summit (MTLS), an exclusive platform for knowledge-sharing and industrial transformation in India’s fast-evolving manufacturing sector.
Honoring Industrial Visionaries: Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. A. Sivathanu Pillai
One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Padma Bhushan Dr. A. Sivathanu Pillai, a legendary Indian scientist and technocrat known for his outstanding contributions to India’s defense and space programs. The award was presented by Mr. Ravi Kant, former Vice Chairman and MD of Tata Motors, marking a powerful moment of recognition for Indian scientific leadership.
Industry Leaders and Special Guests in Attendance
The NAMC 2025 Awards brought together key decision-makers and industry icons from across India’s top manufacturing sectors. Notable guests included:
- Mr. Satish Agrawal – President, Ajanta Pharma Ltd
- Mr. Saurabh Khedekar – President & CEO, Hindalco Alumina Business
- Mr. Lokendra Raj Singh – COO, JSW Steel
- Mr. Lakshminarayana Neti – COO, Biological E. Ltd
- Mr. Rajendra Chunodkar – President, Manufacturing Operations, Lupin Limited
- Mr. Praveer Kumar – Executive Director, GAIL
Their participation reflected India’s united focus on manufacturing competitiveness, innovation, and digitalization.
National Awards for Manufacturing Competitiveness (NAMC) 2025
Thought Leadership at MTLS 2025: Key Highlights
The summit was enriched by compelling keynotes and panel discussions from some of India’s leading minds in business, banking, technology, and government:
- Dr. Anil Khandelwal, former CMD, Bank of Baroda, addressed leadership challenges in the industrial economy.
- Dr. Ganesh Natarajan, former Chairman of NASSCOM, highlighted the synergy between manufacturing and the digital economy.
- Mr. Barath from Zoho showcased low-code business solutions for operational efficiency.
- Speakers from Dassault Systèmes introduced powerful case studies on how advanced simulations and digital twins can transform product design and process optimization.
- Deloitte India, the official Knowledge Partner, provided critical insights into digital transformation and smart factory frameworks.
These sessions reinforced India’s manufacturing transformation roadmap driven by technology, sustainability, and global competitiveness.
NAMC 2025: Celebrating Manufacturing Excellence
This year, 118 manufacturing units were evaluated by IRIM’s transparent, technical, and data-driven methodology. The awards recognized 91 factories for their operational excellence, sustainable practices, and commitment to innovation.
Top Winners at NAMC 2025
- NAMC 2025 Trophy Winner: Vijayanagar Works of JSW Steel Ltd.
- First Runner-up: Tata Motors Electric Mobility Unit, Sanand
- Second Runner-up: JSL Hisar Unit (Jindal Stainless Limited)
Leaders from these organizations praised IRIM’s thorough evaluation process, calling the awards “a benchmark for India’s global competitiveness in manufacturing.”
The Future of Indian Manufacturing
As India gears up to increase its contribution to global supply chains, events like NAMC and MTLS act as key enablers of industrial growth.
- Deloitte’s experts stressed the importance of hyper-connected supply chains and gigafactories to position India as a global leader.
- Digital Twins and AI-driven simulations are increasingly being integrated into operations to unlock higher efficiency and future-proof Indian factories.
- Sustainability and green manufacturing emerged as non-negotiable priorities for India’s industrial future.
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