Information Technology Policy

Information Technology is a critical driver in the evolving global knowledge-based economy. In today's world, leadership in this domain is essential. India, with its strong global position in the IT and ITES sectors, is well-placed to enhance and leverage its IT capabilities to achieve greater economic heights.

Technology has the power to transform and equalize opportunities within and across economies. Recognizing this potential, several economies in the Asia-Pacific region have invested heavily in IT infrastructure and adopted proactive policies to foster widespread IT adoption. As a result, these economies have experienced faster and more equitable growth, rapidly improving their development indices.

India aspires to be a leading knowledge economy with a significant global role. The Indian economy has achieved an impressive growth rate of around 8% over the last decade, with the IT sector playing a significant role in this growth. The Indian IT industry, valued at USD 100 billion in 2011-12, derives 80% of its revenues from exports. The IT & ITES sector in India employs over 2.8 million skilled professionals and has been a major employment generator over the last two decades. The global IT-ITES market continues to grow, presenting both challenges and new opportunities, especially in light of current economic uncertainties worldwide. New competitors emerge frequently, underscoring the need for constant strategic reassessment and the identification of new markets and services. Leveraging and extending the reach of domestic non-IT services such as engineering, health, education, skill development, security, legal, financial, accounting, transport, and logistics is crucial. There is ample room for growth, but no space for complacency. A conducive policy environment and a well-coordinated strategy are essential for maintaining India’s long-term position as a global player.

While IT export growth has been satisfactory despite global economic recessions in recent years, the impact of IT within India remains uneven. Despite the historically slow growth of the domestic market and low levels of ICT usage and penetration, there are now encouraging signs of accelerated ICT adoption across most sectors of the economy and society. Various drivers are propelling this change.

Vision

• Strengthen and enhance India's position as the Global IT hub.
• Use IT and cyber space as an engine for rapid, inclusive, and substantial growth in the national economy.

Mission

• Consolidate India's position as the global IT & ITES hub and leverage IT to contribute significantly to GDP and employment.
• Create a sustainable ecosystem for R&D and Innovation to emerge as a global leader in the conception, design, and development of new products, services, processes, and business models.
• Leverage ICT for enhanced competitiveness and productivity of key economic and strategic sectors.
• Provide ubiquitous affordable access to information and public services for enhancing efficiency, transparency, accountability, and reliability.
• Be the leading resource base for IT and ITES talent for domestic and global markets.
• Ensure a secure cyber space to facilitate trust and enable sustained growth of ICT.
• Transform India into a Knowledge Society.

Objectives

• Increase revenues of IT and ITES Industry from 100 Billion USD to 300 Billion USD by 2020 and expand exports from 69 Billion USD to 200 Billion USD by 2020.
• Gain significant global market-share in emerging technologies and Services.
• Promote innovation and R&D in cutting edge technologies and development of applications and solutions.
• Encourage adoption of ICTs in key economic and strategic sectors to improve their competitiveness and productivity.
• Provide fiscal benefits to SMEs and Startups for adoption of IT in value creation.
• Create a pool of 10 million additional skilled manpower in ICT. Make at least one individual in every household e-literate.
• Provide for mandatory delivery of and affordable access to all public services in electronic mode.
• Enhance transparency, accountability, efficiency, reliability, and decentralization in Government and in particular, in the delivery of public services.
• Leverage ICT for key Social Sector initiatives like Education, Health, Rural Development, and Financial Services to promote equity and quality.
• Make India a global hub for the development of language technologies.
• Enable access of content and ICT applications by differently-abled people to foster inclusive development.
• Leverage ICT for expanding the workforce and enabling life-long learning. Strengthen the Regulatory and Security Framework for ensuring a secure and legally compliant Cyberspace ecosystem.
• Adopt Open standards and promote open source and open technologies.

Strategies

1. Creating Ecosystem for a Globally Competitive IT/ITES Industry

• Make requisite policy changes to make India a preferred destination to establish and operate IT/ITES enterprises.
• Formulate fiscal and other policies to attract investment in IT Industry in Tier II & Tier III cities and rural areas.
• Promote ICT companies in accessing new markets through bilateral agreements and enhancing smooth trade.
• Provide fiscal benefits to SMEs and Startups in key industrial sectors for the adoption of IT in value creation.
• Evolve sector-specific strategies in areas like engineering, health, education, skill development, security, legal, financial, accounting, etc.
• Integrate Indian IT products, services, and expertise in Indian foreign aid programs.

2. Human Resource Development

• Create necessary physical and institutional infrastructure for creating a pool of 10 million trained persons in the IT sector.
• Set up Centers of Excellence in institutes of higher learning to promote high-end research in specialized ICT areas.
• Ensure that at least one individual in every household is e-literate.
• Create a framework to certify the level of applied knowledge and skills of personnel in specific areas of ICT.
• Catalyze continuous updation of curriculum and syllabi to include current developments and relevant knowledge of ICT.

3. Promotion of Innovation and R&D in IT Sector

• Support SMEs and startup companies through fiscal benefits, innovation funds, and incubation facilities.
• Create an Innovation Challenge Agenda to promote innovation in the ICT sector.
• Build R&D infrastructure and test facilities for the development and adoption of emerging technologies.
• Incentivize innovation in public supported research.
• Promote industry-academia collaborative R&D with an emphasis on innovation, products, patents, and IPs.
• Encourage the adoption of ICT-based Green technologies.

4. Enhancing Productivity and Competitiveness in Key Sectors through ICT

• Leverage ICT including mobile technology to enable outreach of secure and interoperable financial and banking services in remote areas at affordable cost.
• Enable long-term partnerships with industry for the use of ICT in cutting-edge technology and driving development of new ICT technologies.
• Ensure adequate infrastructure for setting up high-speed broadband internet connectivity in both urban and rural areas.
• Facilitate national and international funding for projects in key industrial sectors for ICT adoption.
• Encourage public-private partnerships to drive innovative and sustainable solutions.

5. Enhancing Access to Technology for Individuals and Enterprises

• Promote digital literacy among individuals to bridge the digital divide and empower citizens to access information and public services.
• Ensure affordable access to computing devices, software, and broadband connectivity for all.
• Encourage the adoption of cloud computing and data analytics by enterprises to enhance efficiency and decision-making.
• Facilitate the development and adoption of mobile applications for various sectors including education, health, agriculture, and governance.
• Support the creation of digital content in multiple languages to reach diverse populations.

6. Cyber Security and Resilience

• Strengthen the national cybersecurity infrastructure to safeguard critical information and communication systems.
• Promote research and development in cybersecurity technologies and solutions.
• Enhance public awareness and education on cybersecurity best practices and threats.
• Establish robust legal and regulatory frameworks to address cyber threats and enforce cybersecurity measures.
• Collaborate with international partners to address cross-border cyber threats and ensure a secure cyber ecosystem.

7. Leveraging ICT for Inclusive Growth

• Ensure equitable access to ICT infrastructure and services across urban and rural areas.
• Promote the use of ICT in education, health, and social services to enhance their reach and impact.
• Encourage the development and deployment of ICT solutions for agriculture, rural development, and small businesses.
• Facilitate the inclusion of marginalized communities in the digital economy through targeted ICT initiatives.
• Support the creation of digital platforms for citizen engagement and participation in governance.

8. Strengthening the Legal and Regulatory Framework

• Update and enforce laws and regulations to address the evolving challenges and opportunities in the ICT sector.
• Ensure a transparent and predictable policy environment to attract investment and foster innovation.
• Protect intellectual property rights and promote the creation and commercialization of IP assets.
• Facilitate the development of standards and interoperability frameworks for ICT products and services.
• Promote fair competition and prevent monopolistic practices in the ICT market.

Implementation and Monitoring

The successful implementation of this policy requires the active participation and collaboration of various stakeholders, including government agencies, industry, academia, and civil society. The following steps will be taken to ensure effective implementation and monitoring:

• Establish a high-level committee to oversee the implementation of the policy and provide strategic direction.
• Create dedicated task forces for specific initiatives and projects outlined in the policy.
• Develop a comprehensive action plan with clear timelines, responsibilities, and milestones.
• Conduct periodic reviews and evaluations to assess progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Engage with stakeholders through regular consultations, workshops, and forums to gather feedback and insights.
• Leverage technology and data analytics to monitor and report on the implementation of the policy.
• Ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation process through regular public reporting.

By fostering a supportive and dynamic environment for the ICT sector, this policy aims to drive India's digital transformation and achieve its vision of becoming a leading knowledge economy.