05-07-2025
India's new growth mandate: From delivery powerhouse to decision-making engine
For years, India was the silent engine room of global technology—running the world's IT backbone from behind the scenes. But today, it's no longer just powering operations—it's shaping direction. From decision support to decision-making, India is entering a new era of strategic evolution unlocks incredible opportunities to write the new growth code. Today, India is no longer just a dependable executor of global technology mandates—it is increasingly emerging as a co-creator of global strategy, innovation, and digital leadership. Talent: Shift from builders to strategistsThe core of India's tech advantage has always been its talent pool. But what was once a story of cost and scale is now a story of skill and strategy. According to nasscom, India's technology workforce reached 5.4 million in FY2024, with over 1.3 million professionals skilled in digital technologies such as cloud computing, AI (Artificial Intelligence), machine learning, and cybersecurity. Beyond numbers, the qualitative transformation is noteworthy.
Today, when organizations face complex digital challenges—from ethical AI deployment to circular economy models—they are turning to Indian talent not only to execute strategies but also to co-create them. This represents a fundamental shift from transactional outsourcing to strategic problem-solving. Tech professionals today are becoming AI architects, design thinkers, sustainability consultants, and domain specialists who not only implement solutions but actively shape them. For instance, engineers in India are spearheading AI-powered urban mobility redesign projects and developing climate tech platforms to support ESG compliance across global supply chains.
Simultaneously, India's growing involvement in sustainability-aligned innovation, such as AI-driven resource optimization and policy frameworks like
IndiaAI
, points to increasing strategic collaboration on circular economy models as well. According to industry reports, enterprises expect major disruptive shifts in consumption trends by
2030
, driving the need to rethink and redesign business, technology, and people capabilities for sustenance and growth. These developments reinforce India's expanding role as a thought partner in complex, future-forward transformation agendas.
Building bridges: The development trajectory of GCCs in India
India's rise in strategic relevance is perhaps most visible in the evolution of
Global Capability Centers
(GCCs). Once viewed as low-cost extensions for back-office operations, today's GCCs drive innovation, product development, and even business leadership. Many of these centers now lead AI model development for global customer experience, manage real-time risk monitoring systems for international financial institutions, and build digital twin platforms for predictive maintenance in manufacturing.
Some GCCs also manage global product charters, drive platform modernization initiatives, and lead sustainability reporting frameworks utilizing cloud-native architectures. Many of these centers are incorporating industry-specific GenAI copilots and zero-trust cybersecurity frameworks into their enterprise technology stacks, thereby reimagining decision-making processes and risk mitigation strategies.
According to
reports
, India now hosts over 1,580 GCCs, with newer centers increasingly focusing on R&D, design, and customer experience innovation. In fact, nearly 50% of new GCCs established in the past two years prioritize innovation-led mandates over transactional work.
Harnessing the power of intellectual property (IP): A catalyst for product innovation
India's growing influence is also evident in its rising contribution to intellectual property and product innovation. India has seen a sharp rise in patent activity, especially from domestic innovators—a clear sign of its shift from consumption to creation. India's SaaS ecosystem has moved from promise to proof—creating platforms embedded into global business workflows across industries. A recent Patent Pulse 2025 report published by
nasscom
indicates that India has not only preserved its status as the fifth-largest contributor to worldwide patent filings but is also rising as a significant player in AI innovation.
Indian-founded products are increasingly becoming integral to global technology systems, spanning developer tools, B2B platforms, and customer engagement engines. What stands out is the sheer number of these products and the quality of intellectual property being developed. This IP specifically addresses industry-specific challenges in areas such as
healthcare
, fintech, retail, logistics, and more.
India's strategic shift in the global tech landscape: The road ahead
This evolution represents more than just a change in capabilities; it signifies a shift in identity. The world is no longer looking to India solely for guidance on "how to build." Instead, there is a growing interest in India's insights on "what to build" and "why to build."
India's position is being reshaped by global macro trends—distributed innovation, the rise of AI and automation, the push for sustainable digital systems, and the need for diversity in technology leadership. These trends align naturally with India's strengths: a large and young tech-savvy population, strong engineering pedigree, thriving startup ecosystem, and maturing regulatory frameworks. The path ahead demands thoughtful action. To sustain momentum, the country must:
Invest in deep-tech research and development (R&D) to enhance contributions to cutting-edge technologies. According to the latest Tech Adoption Index from the Wall Street Journal, technology budgets are anticipated to increase. Over 80% of respondents expect a budget rise next year, with most predicting growth between 5% and 10%. Cybersecurity and cloud computing were identified as the most vital technologies, followed by 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT).Scale mid-career skilling programs to equip experienced professionals for AI, design, cybersecurity, and sustainability leadership roles. Launching hybrid certification programs in AI ethics, data governance, sustainability consulting, and cyber-leadership will enable professionals to work in an evolving tech environment and leverage emerging technologies like AI. Strengthen digital policy: Adopt globally aligned data governance frameworks and ethical AI guidelines. Enable regulatory sandboxes, facilitate bilateral data-flow agreements, and empower AI oversight bodies to align India with international best practices. Policy and Academia: Progressive policy frameworks and academic collaboration will encourage interdisciplinary learning and critical thinking, skills essential for strategic roles in technology and consulting. Government-led platforms like Digital India, IndiaAI, and Startup India are helping build digital infrastructure and foster innovation ecosystems in Tier 1 to Tier 3 cities. Meanwhile, alliances between industry bodies like nasscom and leading academic institutions are helping bridge skill gaps, align curricula with emerging tech trends, and incubate future-ready talent.
The potential is evident, as is the responsibility that comes with it. India must now position itself as a leader in digital innovation and wisdom, influencing decisions that impact economies, industries, and societies. In a world seeking ethical, inclusive, and sustainable digital transformation, the answers to the questions of 'how,' 'what,' and 'why' are increasingly being found in India.
