The dominance of established IT giants like those in the USA, UK, and Canada has been significantly challenged in recent years by the astonishing rise of the global tech environment. A new generation of smaller players has arisen, making substantial inroads into the technology sector and rewriting the industry's narrative. Our new series explores the greatest IT communities globally, revealing their untapped potential and remarkable achievements.
In the last installment, we looked at Ghana's thriving tech industry. In this edition, we turn our attention to the remarkable rise of India as a tech powerhouse, charting its path of unparalleled advancements and groundbreaking developments in the sector.
India has a long history in the IT industry as an established participant that dates back many years, and it has quickly emerged as a tech powerhouse on the global stage due to the availability of top tech talents. India has developed into a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and technical developments because of a vibrant technology environment and a supply of highly skilled employees. India has made major contributions to the global technological environment for many years, even though its most recent achievements have received much media attention.
According to projections, the tech industry revenue from India is expected to cross $245 billion in the year 2023 and estimated to reach $500 billion by the year 2030.
Here's a look at India's history as a technology powerhouse:
India's path in the IT industry can be traced back to the 1970s when pioneering Indian firms began delivering software development and IT services to overseas clients. Early participants included Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, and Wipro, who provided global customers with software solutions, system integration, and IT consulting. This created the base for the development in skills of Indian tech talent.
In the late 1990s, India rose to prominence in the international tech scene thanks to its vital contribution to fixing the "Y2K bug." India's image as a dependable offshore development location was enhanced by the enormous contribution made by Indian IT enterprises to the debugging and upgrading of computer systems worldwide.
Although IT services and outsourcing were largely responsible for India's early success in the technology sector, the nation has made progress in this domain. Indian start-ups and businesses have produced popular software in industries such as customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP), and healthcare solutions, achieving prominence worldwide.
India has significantly contributed to the open-source software community. Indian developers and businesses routinely contribute code to open-source projects, enabling collaborative development. This participation has influenced the development of numerous open-source technologies and platforms.
With the telecoms and mobile revolution, India's IT industry experienced huge growth. The country's telecommunications industry grew swiftly, resulting in ubiquitous mobile phone adoption and inexpensive internet connectivity. This digital revolution created a fertile environment for technological advances, mobile apps, and digital services.
India has a long history of creating outstanding engineering and research expertise. Renowned colleges such as the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) have been essential in producing top-tier engineering graduates who have made significant contributions to global tech businesses, research institutions, and academics.
In recent years, India has seen a surge in start-ups. Cities such as Bengaluru (dubbed "India's Silicon Valley"), Mumbai, and Delhi have become booming centers for creative start-ups in various fields, including e-commerce, fintech, health tech, ed-tech, and artificial intelligence. Worldwide investors have recognized India's entrepreneurial spirit and creativity in several start-ups.
India is land to many technological innovations and therefore, has several such hubs, especially in the major cities of the country. Some of the noteworthy ones include:
Bangalore, in the southern part of India, can very well be termed as the ‘capital of India’s IT revolution’ or correctly the ‘Silicon Valley of India’. Home to many multinational tech giants, Bangalore's ecosystem supports a wide range of industries, including software development, e-commerce, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence. Global innovators and industry leaders are drawn to prestigious tech conferences and events like TechSparks and Bangalore Tech Summit. Global innovators and industry leaders are drawn to prestigious tech conferences and events like TechSparks and Bangalore Tech Summit which provides a good opportunity for Indian tech talents to highlight their skills and innovation globally.
Another city in the south-central part of India, Hyderabad has become a major tech center over the last few decades. Many IT and tech firms are housed in the city's well-known IT parks, including HITEC City and Gachibowli. Hyderabad has become home to the top global tech talents. Hyderabad's IT economy also includes pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and research & development. The existence of major educational institutions, as well as government programs that aid the IT industry, all contribute to its growth.
The capital city of Delhi and its nearby towns, like Gurugram and Noida, make up the Delhi-NCR area, home to a thriving IT cluster. The area is renowned for its startup environment, with an emphasis on industries including e-commerce, finance, ed-tech, and artificial intelligence. Additionally, it is home to many technology parks, research centers, and IT businesses.
Pune is recognized for its technical expertise and has a robust IT environment. The city is home to several IT businesses, software development organizations, and academic institutions. Software development, IT services, and new technologies are the main emphasis of Pune's tech sector. In addition, it has a developing startup culture that is aided by incubators and accelerators. Pune's IT economy is further strengthened by its proximity to Mumbai, a further significant financial center.
Chennai is home to a growing IT sector with a concentration on software development and IT services. The city has several IT businesses, tech parks, and research facilities. The tech sector in Chennai is diverse, encompassing fields like financial technology, healthcare technology, and automotive technology.
Along with the above-mentioned major contributors to the IT hub of India, there are other smaller hubs, such as Coimbatore, Indore, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Kochi.
Tech talents from India can contribute to a wide range of projects and fulfill the changing needs of the IT sector because of their linguistic abilities and skill sets, making them very adaptive and versatile.
Here are some noteworthy languages and skill sets to look for in Indian developers:
Indian developers have adopted cloud computing technologies such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. They are skilled in deploying and managing applications in cloud environments, taking advantage of cloud services' scalability, dependability, and flexibility.
Indian developers are exceptionally skilled at developing mobile apps for the Android platform. They are well-versed in Java and Kotlin for Android development and frameworks such as the Android SDK and React Native, allowing them to design feature-rich and user-friendly mobile applications.
Among Indian developers, a skillset known as full stack development, which requires expertise in front-end and back-end technologies, is in high demand. They are proficient in a variety of technologies like HTML/CSS, JavaScript, Node.js, Express.js, and databases such as MongoDB and MySQL, allowing them to create end-to-end online applications.
Java continues to be one of India's most popular programming languages. Many Indian programmers are adept in Java and its related frameworks and technologies. Java is used in a variety of fields, such as backend web development, Android app development, and enterprise application development.
With the advent of data-driven decision-making, Indian developers have developed expertise in data science and machine learning. They can execute data analysis, create predictive models, and create AI applications since they are familiar with well-known frameworks and libraries like NumPy, Pandas, TensorFlow, and sci-kit-learn.
Indian programmers have adopted DevOps techniques, emphasizing integrating software development and IT management. They are skilled in tools like Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins, and Git, which allows them to automate procedures, guarantee continuous integration and deployment, and enhance software development workflows.
With the country gaining more expertise in technological innovations and with the start-up revolution booming, India is well becoming one of the major players in the tech market. That is why, it is no surprise that Notchup has several tech talents from India, who bring with them their technical skills and expertise. Let us meet a couple of them to know more about their areas of specialization, what they do for Notchup and their future goals!
Ankit Gulati (Senior Developer)
When did you join Notchup, and how did you come to know about it?
I joined Notchup, a renowned organization in the field of software development, starting April 1st, 2021. My professional journey took an exciting turn as I transitioned from Innovify India to Innovify UK and then migrated to Notchup.
What do you specialize in as far as your skill sets as a developer?
Having experience in ReactJS, Magento, Laravel, and CakePHP puts you in a good position to develop web applications using different approaches.
Tell us about your journey so far, in your career as a developer.
Throughout my 10-year career as a front-end developer, I have embarked on an exciting and fulfilling journey in the ever-evolving world of technology. Over the years, I have witnessed significant advancements in web development, honed my skills, and gained invaluable experience. My journey began with a strong foundation in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, the building blocks of the web. I quickly developed a passion for creating visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces. As the demand for dynamic web applications grew, I embraced JavaScript frameworks such as jQuery, AngularJS, and later ReactJS, which allowed me to build robust and interactive user experiences. I have had the privilege of working with diverse teams and clients across various industries, including e-commerce, finance, and technology. Collaborating with designers, backend developers, and stakeholders, I have played a crucial role in turning concepts and wireframes into functional and seamless web applications. As the front-end landscape evolved, I adapted to emerging technologies and best practices. I embraced responsive design principles, ensuring that websites look and function flawlessly across different devices and screen sizes. I delved into CSS preprocessors like Sass and Less, leveraging their power to streamline stylesheets and create scalable and maintainable code.
What are you working on at present? Can you give us a detail of what you do in Notchup?
Frontend development with React JS
What do you like most about working with Notchup, and what would you like to change?
As someone with extensive experience in remote work, I was excited to try out Notchup's platform to find my next full-time opportunity. What I appreciate most about Notchup is the flexibility it offers in terms of work arrangements and consultancy. I value my autonomy and the trust that remote work environments provide, and Notchup allows me to easily find roles that align with these values.
What can you tell us about your country as a tech hub? How strong do you think India's tech community is?
India has emerged as a significant player in the global technology landscape, establishing itself as a thriving tech hub. The country's tech community has experienced rapid growth and has made substantial contributions to various sectors, including software development, IT services, research and development, and startups.
India boasts a vast pool of highly skilled and talented professionals in the field of technology. The country's emphasis on education, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, has fueled the growth of a strong and capable workforce. Indian engineers and developers have made their mark globally, excelling in areas such as software development, data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
Cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune have emerged as key technology hubs, hosting numerous multinational companies, research institutions, and startups. These cities provide fertile ground for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing.
Additionally, India's tech community has actively contributed to open-source projects, with many developers contributing to global initiatives and creating their own open-source software. This collaboration has facilitated the growth and adoption of open-source technologies worldwide.
Overall, India's tech community is robust, vibrant, and constantly evolving. It has proven its mettle on the global stage, with Indian professionals and startups making significant contributions to the world of technology. With a strong talent pool, supportive policies, and a culture of innovation, India is poised to further strengthen its position as a prominent tech hub in the years to come.
Do you know anyone else who is working from your country? If so, what do they specialize in?
Yes, there are many developers from India, and with skill sets covering several tech stacks.
Nirali Sonchhabda (Developer- Intermediate)
When did you join Notchup, and how did you come to know about it?
I have been with this organization since its inception.
What do you specialize in as far as your skill sets as a developer?
My core specialties are WordPress CMS and core PHP. I work for the in-house company websites and international clients.
Tell us about your journey so far, in your career as a developer.
I have 9+ years of experience. I have worked on most of the projects related to WordPress, including website development, plugin development, and custom theme development, using different WP addons.
What are you working on at present? Can you give us a detail of what you do in Notchup?
In Notchup, I am part of Website Growth team for in house website maintenance and Growth Hacking for our very old client StartupBootCamp website maintenance.
What do you like most about working with Notchup, and what would you like to change?
I am a working mother. Notchup has always provided me with work-time flexibility. They helped me achieve work-life balance. The team members are very supportive. I don't want to change anything as of now.
What can you tell us about your country as a tech hub? How strong do you think India's tech community is?
India has long been recognized as a tech-savvy country. Strong governmental support, a good English-based education system, a large talent pool, and an open market made it the go-to destination for Western outsourcing.
Do you know anyone else who is working from your country? If so, what do they specialize in?
There are many talents from India currently working with Notchup, and many have registered on the platform. One of my teammates is also from India, Sonalika Behra.
Vishal Amrutiya (Senior Developer)
When did you join Notchup, and how did you come to know about it?
I joined Notchup in May 2021. I had been working for the Innovify company, a sister concern of Notchup.
What do you specialize in as far as your skill sets as a developer?
My core specialties are NodeJS and Java. I work as a technical lead to enhance platform performance.
Tell us about your journey so far, in your career as a developer.
I have more than 9 years of experience handling projects with Docker, JSON, agile methodologies, GIT, JQuery, and AWS SES, REST API, Javascript, MySQL, AWS SQS, Java, Spring Boot, Spring, AWS (AWS Web Services) MongoDB, Hibernate, Liquibase, Struts2, NodeJs, ExpressJS, Redis, Spring Cloud, and MsSQL.
What are you working on at present? Can you give us a detail of what you do in Notchup?
In Notchup, I am a part of five teams: the full stack team, recommendation algorithm, MVP experts, enterprise application development, and the full stack team. I am working towards giving better value to the users of Notchup’s platform.
What do you like most about working with Notchup, and what would you like to change?
I work remotely, which is fun since I work from different locations and in a comfortable place. Our salaries are paid promptly as well. I'd change nothing for now.
What can you tell us about your country as a tech hub? How strong do you think India's tech community is?
Technology companies in India have driven growth, created jobs, and increased access to resources, education, and healthcare, resulting in falling poverty levels and improved lifestyles.
Do you know anyone else who is working from your country? If so, what do they specialize in?
Vinit Devani works with me on the Notchup platform. Apart from him, there are two other developers from India, Brinda Lakhani and Rohit Dalwadi, who are also registered on the Notchup platform.
