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Key Points

India’s IT sector is thriving beyond metros, with STPI driving $224B exports and 5.8M jobs. The government’s focus on Tier-2/3 cities has created 3L jobs through 68 tech hubs. Startups are flourishing with 90K patents filed in 2024, backed by schemes like NGIS and GENESIS. Minister Vaishnaw highlights how decentralised growth is making India’s digital economy more inclusive.

Key Points: STPI Drives IT Boom in Non-Metro Cities with $224B Exports

  • IT exports surged 65% to $224B since 2019
  • 60 of 68 STPI centres now in non-metros
  • 2.98L jobs created in Tier-2/3 cities
  • Startups filed 90K patents in 2024 vs 4.3K in 2019
2 min read

STPI's expansion spurs IT growth in India's non-metro cities, boosts exports and jobs

India’s IT exports hit $224B as STPI expands to 68 centres, creating 3L jobs in Tier-2/3 cities like Bhagalpur & Vijayawada.

"STPI’s decentralised growth is powering software exports, innovation, and employment beyond metros – Ashwini Vaishnaw"

New Delhi, Aug 6

India’s IT industry is witnessing a remarkable shift as growth expands beyond traditional metro cities, driven by the government-backed Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), the Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

As of FY 2024-25, India’s software exports touched $224.4 billion, up from $136 billion in 2019, and total revenue from the IT industry stood at $282.6 billion, with the sector employing 5.8 million people, a significant rise from 4.14 million in 2019, Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question.

According to data shared by the minister, STPI’s increasing presence in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities is powering software exports, innovation, and employment generation.

The STPI network now spans 68 centres, with 60 located in non-metro cities, including Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Vijayawada, and Jajpur.

Over the last five years, 9 new STPI centres and 15 Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoEs) were launched to support startups in emerging tech areas like AI, blockchain, agritech, and gaming, Vaishnaw said.

These initiatives have led to the creation of 2.98 lakh jobs in non-metro locations through STPI-registered units, with an additional 9,800 jobs supported via startup incubation programmes.

A total of 1,121 startups have been assisted under government schemes, with $39.86 crore disbursed to 590 startups, according to the data.

The Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS) and other digital innovation programs have strengthened India's position in the global software product market.

Patent filings by Indian startups have surged from 4,331 in 2019 to nearly 90,000 in 2024, reflecting a growing focus on intellectual property and product development.

According to the minister, India is also seeing a rise in youth-led digital innovation under schemes like GENESIS, TIDE 2.0, and SAMRIDH, aligned with the National Policy on Software Products (NPSP) 2019.

With total software exports from STPI-registered units crossing Rs 10.64 lakh crore, the government’s push for decentralised IT growth is yielding tangible results.

By taking innovation to smaller cities, India is building a more inclusive and robust digital economy, Vaishnaw said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the growth is impressive, I hope the government ensures proper training programs are in place. Many small-town graduates still lack industry-ready skills. Quality must keep pace with quantity.
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Rohit P
Bhagalpur represent! 🎉 Never thought my hometown would be part of India's IT revolution. My cousin just got a job at a gaming startup incubated at our new STPI center. This is life-changing for so many families.
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Sarah B
The patent filing growth from 4,331 to 90,000 is mind-blowing! This shows Indian startups are moving from services to real product innovation. Exciting times ahead for Make in India in tech!
K
Karthik V
Good initiative but metro cities still get 80% of funding. When will places like Jajpur get high-speed internet and better transport? Infrastructure needs to match these ambitious plans.
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Nisha Z
As a woman working in agritech, I'm thrilled to see support for startups in non-traditional sectors. The CoEs are helping bridge the urban-rural divide. More power to women entrepreneurs in tier-3 cities! 👩‍💻
D
David E
Working with Indian IT teams across cities, I've seen the quality difference shrinking. This decentralization

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