Nasscom, India's apex IT industry body, on Monday, 11 May said technology companies across the country are adopting prudent energy management measures and enabling remote or hybrid work arrangements wherever operationally feasible, amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The move follows a recent appeal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging citizens and organisations to reduce fuel consumption and embrace work-from-home practices.

What the Industry Is Doing

In a formal statement, Nasscom said companies are optimising non-essential energy consumption across their campuses, rationalising select facility services, and allowing remote or hybrid work in operationally suitable roles. "In light of the ongoing Middle East tensions, companies have adopted prudent energy management measures across campuses, including optimising non-essential consumption, rationalising select facility services, and enabling remote or hybrid work where operationally appropriate to reduce overall energy usage and commuting," the industry body said.

The body was careful to note that these are not emergency responses but extensions of frameworks already in place. "These measures are not new but are part of the industry's broader approach to operational resilience and sustainability," it added.

Hybrid Work Already the Norm

Nasscom pointed out that India's technology sector has long operated on well-established hybrid work models, calibrated according to role requirements and client needs. The sector's distributed delivery infrastructure allows companies to maintain seamless operations with flexibility, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery even under geopolitical stress. "India's technology sector has well-established business continuity frameworks and distributed delivery models, which enable seamless operation with flexibility when required while ensuring uninterrupted service delivery," the body noted.

Geopolitical Context

The statement comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East, which have prompted concerns over energy supply chains and fuel price volatility globally. PM Modi's appeal to reduce fuel consumption reflects the government's proactive approach to managing potential supply-side pressures on the domestic economy. India's IT sector, which employs millions and operates sprawling campuses across major cities, is among the country's largest institutional consumers of energy.

Monitoring and Coordination

Nasscom stated that it is closely monitoring the evolving geopolitical situation and remains in active engagement with industry stakeholders and government authorities. "While this remains an evolving situation, we are closely monitoring developments and remain engaged with industry stakeholders and government authorities to ensure a coordinated and responsible response," it said. The body's proactive communication signals the sector's intent to align with national priorities without disrupting client commitments. How long such measures remain in effect will depend on how the situation in the Middle East develops in the coming weeks.