Is India Truly the IT Capital of the World? NSE's Role Explained by Ashish Kumar Chauhan

Synopsis
Discover how India has solidified its position as the IT capital of the world, with insights from NSE's Ashish Kumar Chauhan on how technology has transformed the economy and trading landscape.
Key Takeaways
- India is now the global IT capital.
- NSE has revolutionized trading with its digital platform.
- Technology is a key growth driver for the Indian economy.
- Over 2,000 international IT companies operate in India.
- Market capitalisation has increased 120 times since 1994.
New Delhi, May 30 (NationPress) India has established itself as the information technology (IT) capital globally, with the National Stock Exchange (NSE) leading the way in leveraging extensive digital public infrastructure for facilitating trades on its advanced digital platform, according to NSE Managing Director and CEO, Ashish Kumar Chauhan.
Chauhan highlighted that the NSE was a trailblazer in technology adoption back in 1994, coinciding with the IT boom. Subsequently, during the Y2K period, the NSE showcased India's technological capabilities, drawing significant contracts and serving as a platform for smaller enterprises to exhibit their skills.
"In today’s world, technology fuels progress, and India stands as the IT capital of the globe. This transformation is the result of technology's profound impact on our society," he stated during an engaging podcast with Kailash Adhikari, MD of Sri Adhikari Brothers.
The NSE debuted India’s first fully automated, screen-based order matching system in 1994, marking a significant milestone in India’s IT landscape. Presently, the NSE ranks as the largest stock exchange worldwide.
In 1994, India had fewer than 1 million investors, but today, that figure has skyrocketed to over 110 million.
Chauhan expressed that technology has been instrumental in India's development narrative. "When discussing technology, India takes the lead globally. Its influence on growth cannot be overstated. A society that embraces IT will thrive," he remarked during the podcast.
India has emerged as a prominent IT hub, with between 2,000 to 3,000 international IT companies establishing operations here, tapping into the nation’s exceptional talent pool.
"Now, with iPhones being assembled in India, other tech components like servers and electronic chips will soon follow suit. Companies such as Microsoft and Google rely on our skilled workforce for their AI projects," added Chauhan, reiterating that NSE acts as a catalyst for the Indian economy.
Since its inception in 1994, India’s market capitalisation has increased more than 120 times, currently exceeding Rs 440 lakh crore or $5.1 trillion.
The market capitalisation of NSE-listed firms has seen nearly a six-fold increase over the past 11 years, with the market cap-to-GDP ratio doubling from 60% in FY14 to 124% in FY25.