{"id":362813,"date":"2025-10-29T23:22:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T17:52:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.technologyforyou.org\/?p=362813"},"modified":"2025-10-29T23:22:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T17:52:11","slug":"indias-digital-economy-powers-ahead-innovation-and-inclusion-hold-the-key-new-gsma-report-shows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.technologyforyou.org\/indias-digital-economy-powers-ahead-innovation-and-inclusion-hold-the-key-new-gsma-report-shows\/","title":{"rendered":"India\u2019s Digital Economy Powers Ahead: Innovation and Inclusion Hold the Key, New GSMA Report Shows"},"content":{"rendered":"

India\u2019s digital economy has surged threefold to $370 billion in 2023, from $108 billion a decade ago, and is on track to surpass $1 trillion by 2030. However, a new landmark report launched recently by the GSMA warns that unless critical innovation and adoption gaps are closed, momentum could falter before India achieves its 2047 digital sovereignty goals.<\/p>\n

Launched recently at India Mobile Congress, the \u2018Towards Digital Sovereignty in India\u2019<\/em><\/a>\u00a0report finds that India performs above the average of Asia Pacific countries in most dimensions of the\u00a0GSMA Digital Nations Index<\/em>, with strengths in security and infrastructure. India also shows strong performance in the people dimension, reflecting progress on digital skills and inclusion initiatives.<\/p>\n

The government\u2019s flagship Digital India plan, and its related programmes, have delivered substantial social and economic impact. In addition to advancing digital and financial inclusion, the nation\u2019s digital economy represented 11.7% of gross value added by 2023, or approximately $370 billion.<\/p>\n

However, the report calls out innovation as India\u2019s Achilles\u2019 heel. While India leads in digital public infrastructure and mobile rollout, it lags in R&D investment, private sector innovation, and retention of skilled professionals. Without urgent action, India risks a \u201cbrain drain dividend\u201d that benefits global competitors instead of fuelling domestic growth.<\/p>\n

Connectivity gaps also remain stark: nearly 47% of Indians are still offline, and women are 33% less likely than men to use mobile internet. This entrenched digital gender divide could hold back inclusive growth if not urgently addressed.<\/p>\n

Vivek Badrinath, Director General at the GSMA, said:\u00a0\u201cIndia has become a digital powerhouse over the past decade, with world-leading innovation in digital public infrastructure and 5G rollout. But to sustain this momentum, India must focus on innovation, boost R&D, strengthen data governance, and ensure every citizen \u2014 especially women and rural communities \u2014 can benefit. True digital sovereignty means leaving no one behind.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Key Priorities for India\u2019s Digital Sovereignty Journey<\/strong><\/p>\n

The report sets out four urgent priorities:<\/p>\n