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Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
K'taka services exports nearly doubles in 6yrs, breach $150bn mark
Bengaluru: Karnataka's services-sector exports — spanning information technology, business process management, fintech, biotech, engineering design and other knowledge-based services — reached $159 billion in 2024-25, a 13.7% increase over the previous year. In 2018-19, Karnataka exported $77.8 billion worth of software and services. After a slight dip to $79.2 billion in 2020-21 due to the pandemic, the sector rebounded to $101.8 billion the following year. Exports grew to $130.3 billion in 2022-23, $139.9 billion in 2023-24, and crossed the $150-billion mark this year — nearly doubling in six years. The state continues to hold the top spot in the country for total services exports (see table), according to data from the Visvesvaraya Trade Promotion Centre (VTPC). While VTPC didn't have a break-up for IT/ITeS immediately, officials said that a majority of the services exports are from the sector. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Karnataka IT/BT secretary Ekroop Caur told TOI: "From FY2015 to FY2024, Karnataka's services sector grew at a CAGR of 8.3%, outperforming the national average of 6.3%. The 13.7% rise last year isn't a one-off — Bengaluru alone accounts for nearly 40% of India's IT/ITeS exports." Pointing out that over 40% of India's 1,750+ GCCs are in Bengaluru, employing more than 8 lakh professionals, she said these centres are evolving into global R&D and innovation engines. "Beyond IT/ITeS, we're also seeing contributions from fintech, biotech, product development and chip design. Skilling initiatives like Nipuna Karnataka are helping align our workforce with modern industry needs, particularly in AI, machine learning, cybersecurity and blockchain," she added. TV Mohandas Pai, chairman of Aarin Capital, reiterating that Bengaluru remains the heart of Karnataka's services story, said 28 lakh people work here, across 65,000 companies and 20,000 startups. "Each year, 100-200 new tech startups are born. Bengaluru has one of the world's largest concentrations of tech. But our biggest failure is infrastructure. There is no significant investment happening in the city or in smaller towns. Governments make big announcements — Rs 1 lakh crore, for instance — but the actual allocations are meagre," he added. FKCCI president Balakrishna MG said the growth is driven by government efforts like the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission and the Beyond Bengaluru strategy. "Our reputation, global links, and steady FDI inflows have positioned us well. But to sustain this, we need more IT parks in Tier-II cities, fewer regulatory hurdles for smaller firms, and large-scale upskilling to meet demand in AI, Web3, and cloud-based technologies. Karnataka must reposition itself globally not just as an IT hub, but as a centre for broader knowledge and innovation services," Balakrishna said. PV Rai, managing director, Pixel Softek, cautioned against attributing the growth solely to government action. "It's the industry and the manpower, and the spurt in global capability centres (GCCs), that have propelled this. But the city's infrastructure is a serious concern. We lack proper roads, a clear masterplan, and IT-ready layouts. Without long-term, planned solutions, we risk losing momentum," he said. ------ For Graphic: Year Wise Service Exports From K'taka: Year Exports in Billion USD 2018-2019 77.8 2019-2020 83.8 2020-2021 79.2 2021-2022 101.8 2022-2023 130.3 2023-2024 139.9 2024-2025 159.1 Service Exports: Top 6 States & All India for 2024-2025: State Exports in in Billion USD Karnataka 159.1 Maharashtra 62.1 Tamil Nadu 48.4 Uttar Pradesh 18.9 Andhra Pradesh 4.2 Gujarat 3.8 All India 387.8 Source: Visvesvaraya Trade Promotion Centre
India Today
21-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Siddaramaiah slams SBI branch manager's Kannada snub, but ‘issue now closed'
A controversy over linguistic insensitivity at a State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Bengaluru has now been deemed closed, following the swift action by the bank, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated via social media.'The behaviour of the SBI Branch Manager in Surya Nagara, Anekal Taluk refusing to speak in Kannada & English and showing disregard to citizens, is strongly condemnable. We appreciate SBI's swift action in transferring the official. The matter may now be treated as closed,' Siddaramaiah weighed in on the matter through a post on X. advertisementHe also cautioned against such incidents' recurrence. 'However, such incidents must not recur. All bank employees must treat customers with dignity and make every effort to speak in the local language. I urge the @FinMinIndia & Dept of Financial Services to mandate cultural and language sensitisation training for all bank staff across India. Respecting the local language is respecting the people. #KannadaFirst,' he wrote. Former Infosys director TV Mohandas Pai also lent his support to the Chief Minister's stand. 'I fully agree with our @CMofKarnataka @siddaramaiah. All customers should be treated with dignity and respect. In every state or district, people who serve should try their best to speak the local language to show respect and dignity to local citizens. Never look down on non-English speakers. Hindi is not the default language to the local language. We need a locally inclusive service culture,' he posted on X. advertisement The row erupted after a video surfaced online showing an altercation between a customer and a staffer, presumably the manager of SBI's Surya Nagar branch in Anekal taluk. In the footage, the staffer is seen refusing to converse in Kannada during an interaction, questioning if there is any rule that mandates her to do so. The exchange escalates, with the customer repeatedly asking the official to speak in Kannada. The staffer retorts, 'This is Karnataka,' to which she replies, 'This is India,' before stating, 'I will never speak Kannada,' and walking video, widely circulated on the social media platform X, triggered public outrage and calls for accountability. Users tagged the SBI and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, accusing the bank staff of imposing Hindi, misbehaving with customers, and flouting Reserve Bank of India (RBI) response, SBI issued a statement expressing regret and confirmed that the incident was under internal review. The bank reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards conduct that adversely impacts customer sentiment and pledged its commitment to respectful the SBI has transferred the staffer involved and the Chief Minister has called the issue resolved, both officials and citizens have stressed that such incidents must not be repeated and have renewed the call for respectful, locally sensitive service standards across the country. IN THIS STORY#Karnataka#Bengaluru
