The Indian Information Technology (IT) industry is poised for an impressive leap, with projections indicating a targeted revenue of $350 billion by the year 2030. Despite global economic challenges, the sector remains resilient, attributing its growth to the surge in demand for digital services amid the pandemic.
The optimism surrounding the industry’s trajectory was underscored at the recently concluded Bengaluru Tech Summit 2023. Industry experts expressed confidence that the Indian IT sector, a key player in the global technology landscape, could even double employment opportunities within the next decade.
In the past two fiscal years, the Indian IT sector has exhibited robust growth, driven by the rapid digitization fueled by the ongoing global health crisis. NASSCOM, the industry’s apex body, reported a substantial 8.4% growth in the sector, reaching a size of $245 billion in FY23. Moreover, the industry added a notable 290,000 jobs during this period, expanding the total workforce to over 5.4 million.
While the Bengaluru Tech Summit foresees a $350 billion revenue milestone, NASSCOM is even more bullish, projecting a potential $500 billion by 2030. This optimistic outlook stems from the multifaceted nature of the Indian IT industry, encompassing IT services companies, Global Capability Centres (GCCs), global and domestic software product firms, and a thriving ecosystem of technology startups.
The country is currently home to 1,523 GCCs, a number expected to climb to 1,900 by 2025. According to a joint report by NASSCOM and Zinnov, these GCCs collectively employ around 2 million professionals in India. Leading global technology giants like Microsoft, IBM, Accenture, Apple, Facebook, SAP, and Intel are actively expanding their presence in the country, further fueling job creation.
India proudly boasts the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, with a significant emphasis on technology-focused startups. Despite challenges in funding, these startups continue to be key employers, hiring new talent and contributing to the overall growth of the IT sector.
The industry’s remarkable inclusivity is evident in its status as a leading employer of women, with more than 2 million women currently contributing to its workforce. The sector has also demonstrated leadership in digital skills, maintaining a 36% digital workforce and standing as a global frontrunner in artificial intelligence (AI) skills penetration. It holds the second-largest talent pool globally for AI, machine learning (ML), and big data analytics.
In conclusion, the Indian IT industry’s growth narrative remains compelling, grounded in its adaptability, innovation, and resilience. As it charts the course towards a $350 billion revenue target by 2030, the sector is poised to be a major driver of economic and technological transformation in India and on the global stage.