CII, NITI Aayog launch Dx-EDGE to turbocharge MSMEs through digital transformation

Apex industry body, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), has collaborated with government think tank NITI Aayog and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to enhance the performance of the country’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through digitalisation.

A national initiative, Digital Excellence for Growth and Enterprise (Dx-EDGE), was launched in New Delhi to serve as a platform empowering MSMEs with the tools, knowledge, and ecosystem needed to become future-ready, competitive, and resilient.

“The CII and NITI Frontier Tech Hub Dx-EDGE platform marks a transformative leap in India’s digital journey, designed to empower our MSMEs with cutting-edge technology and digital mastery. By establishing a nationwide network of digital transformation facilitation centres, this initiative democratises access to skills and innovation, enabling MSMEs to scale sustainably, enhance global competitiveness, and play a pivotal role in realizing the Viksit Bharat vision,” said B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog.

Addressing the launch function, Subrahmanyam said the three main challenges MSMEs face are improving technology, developing a skilled workforce, and addressing issues related to quality certifications. According to him, India cannot become a developed nation unless it raises its standards and manufacturing systems nationwide, emphasizing that education, skills, and MSME development are crucial to India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat.

“Future-proofing MSMEs through digital adoption is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for realizing Viksit Bharat. With Dx-EDGE, we are building an exciting ecosystem-led approach to empower MSMEs to embrace technology, strengthen resilience, and thrive in an increasingly digital world. This initiative is a key pillar of NITI Frontier Tech Hub (FTH)’s vision to accelerate India’s transformation into a frontier tech nation, ensuring that no enterprise is left behind in the digital revolution,” said Debjani Ghosh, Distinguished Fellow, NITI Aayog and Chief Architect, NITI FTH.

A key feature of Dx-EDGE is its attempt to bring all technical institutions across the country on board to help MSMEs identify the digital transformation path suited to their specific needs. CII will establish centres of digital excellence to provide overall guidance to MSMEs.

In his address, MSME Secretary S.C.L. Das termed Dx-EDGE a significant and novel step in the right direction, designed with a Public-Private-Academia Partnership (PPAP) approach. He emphasised that this collaborative framework would be a key factor in ensuring the initiative’s success.