The IT & ITes sector includes IT services, engineering design and R&D services, ITES (IT-enabled services) or BPO and hardware. As per NASSCOM estimates, IT/ITeS sector (excluding hardware) revenues are estimated at USD 87.6 billion in FY 2011-12; and the industry is expected to grow by 19 per cent during FY 2012-13.

The IT/ITeS sector has led to employment opportunities, both direct and indirect, of nearly 2.8 million and around 8.9 million respectively. This growth is expected to increase to more than 14 million (direct and indirect) by 2015 and to around 30 million by 2030.

The market size of the industry is expected to rise to USD 225 billion by 2020 considering India’s competitive position, growing demand for exports, Government policy support, and increasing global footprint.

IT/ITeS industry has led India’s economic growth and this sector’s contribution to the national GDP has risen from 1.2 per cent in 1997-98 to an estimated 7.5 per cent in 2011-12.

 As per the Economic Survey 2011-12, the IT/ITeS industries has added 7.96 lakh jobs in one year, in the period ending September 2011. According to NASSCOM, employee base in the rural areas is expected to increase by over 10 times by 2013-14, compared to 5000 in 2009-10.