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2.98 Lakh Jobs Created, ₹10.64 Lakh Cr Software Exports, 1,121 Startups Supported – STPI Drives IT Growth in Non-Metros
New Delhi: India’s thriving IT sector is seeing a major transformation, not just in scale, but in geography. The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has emerged as a catalyst for tech-driven growth in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, creating a robust base of employment, innovation, and exports far beyond India’s traditional metropolitan tech hubs.
According to details shared by Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in the Lok Sabha, 2.98 lakh jobs have been created in non-metro cities by STPI-registered units as of March 31, 2025, underscoring the decentralization of India’s IT revolution. An additional 9,800 jobs have been created by startups supported under Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoEs) and the Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS).
From Services to Products: A Changing IT Landscape
India’s IT industry, historically known for outsourcing and services, is undergoing a major shift toward a product-driven, IP-centric model, aided by proactive government interventions such as the National Policy on Software Products (NPSP) 2019.
Key Highlights of IT Sector Growth (2019 to 2025):
| Metric | 2019 | 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $177 billion | $283 billion |
| Export Revenue | $136 billion | $224.4 billion |
| Domestic Revenue | $41 billion | $58.2 billion |
| Direct Employment | 4.14 million | 5.8 million |
| Number of Startups | ~7,200 | Over 32,000 |
| Patent Filings | 4,331 | 90,000 |
(Source: NASSCOM)
This leap in growth is not only reflective of digital transformation across industries but also of supportive policy frameworks, skill-building initiatives, and innovation infrastructure, particularly in India’s smaller towns and cities.
STPI’s Expanding National Footprint
STPI’s nationwide network now includes 68 centres, of which 60 are strategically located in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. In the last five years, STPI has launched:
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9 new incubation centres
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15 new Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoEs), bringing the total to 24 CoEs
These centres are domain-specific and provide incubation, mentoring, R&D facilities, and market access support to startups. From fintech and medtech to AI, IoT, and blockchain, these centres are nurturing cutting-edge solutions for local and global markets.
Empowering Startups with Capital and Infrastructure
Under multiple schemes and programs, STPI has supported 1,121 startups across India with a cumulative outlay of ₹445.77 crore. Out of this, ₹39.86 crore has been disbursed as direct funding to 590 startups in the last three financial years.
These initiatives focus on deep tech innovation, local problem-solving, and global scalability — particularly in underserved regions where youth often lack access to institutional support.
Major Government Schemes Powering the IT Ecosystem
To meet the goals of NPSP 2019, MeitY has launched several national-level programs:
🔹 Future Skills Prime
Re-skilling/up-skilling IT professionals in emerging technologies such as AI, AR/VR, Big Data, IoT.
🔹 Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS)
Promotes inclusive innovation by supporting tech startups in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
🔹 SAMRIDH
Helps startups scale by providing market access and investor connections through accelerators.
🔹 GENESIS
Aims to identify, support, and empower 10,000 youth-led startups from across India.
🔹 TIDE 2.0
Supports technology-based entrepreneurship through funding and incubation.
🔹 Digi-SAPNE
Focuses on empowering North Eastern region startups to build scalable solutions with societal impact.
🔹 BHASHINI
India’s National Language Translation Mission that supports the creation of a multilingual digital ecosystem.
These efforts reflect a holistic approach to strengthening the tech startup ecosystem — combining funding, mentorship, skilling, language accessibility, and infrastructure support.
Record-Breaking Software Exports from STPI Units
The impact of STPI is not limited to domestic job creation and innovation. According to the latest data, STPI-registered units have exported software worth ₹10.64 lakh crore in FY 2024–25 alone, reinforcing India’s position as a global IT powerhouse.
These exports include services and software solutions in areas such as:
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Cloud computing
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Fintech
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Cybersecurity
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Healthcare IT
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AI & ML
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SaaS and enterprise solutions
Decentralizing Digital India: The Road Ahead
The STPI network is proof that Digital India is not confined to metro cities. With infrastructure, policy, and mentorship being pushed to the grassroots, India’s non-metro talent pool is driving innovation in meaningful ways.
The government’s strategic focus on inclusive digital growth aligns with broader national objectives such as ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, ‘Startup India’, and ‘Skill India’. As India advances toward becoming a $5 trillion digital economy, the next wave of innovation will likely emerge from small towns, tiered cities, and regional ecosystems.
Conclusion
With sustained investments in infrastructure, talent development, and product-oriented entrepreneurship, the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) have become a bedrock of regional innovation and national IT growth. As India transitions from a service-led to a product-driven digital superpower, the work done by STPI and MeitY is helping democratize opportunity, bridge regional gaps, and write the next chapter in India’s digital success story.
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Source: PIB, India
