ICT and the New Telangana Economy

12.1 What ICT means

• Information Technology (IT) works with computers and software; information and communication technology (ICT) adds telecommunication networks.
• IT-enabled Services (ITeS) are business processes delivered over networks, such as customer support and finance processing.
• ICT is a specialised, high-value part of Telangana's service and knowledge economy, not the whole service sector.

12.2–12.3 Hyderabad and the IT industry

• Public-sector electronics, research institutions, technology parks, skilled graduates and private investment built a technology cluster in Hyderabad.
• By the 2020s the industry spanned IT services, ITeS, engineering services, software products and Global Capability Centres (GCCs).

12.4 Exports, investment and jobs

• Telangana's IT/ITeS exports rose from ₹57,258 crore (2013-14) to ₹2,68,233 crore (2023-24) in the State's series.
• Direct IT/ITeS employment was about 9.46 lakh in 2023-24; announced investment is not the same as realised investment.

12.5–12.6 Infrastructure and innovation

• Fibre, mobile networks, data centres and digital public services form the digital infrastructure.
• T-Hub, WE Hub, T-Works and other institutions support start-ups, prototyping and women entrepreneurs.

12.7–12.8 Emerging technology and ICT Policy

• Artificial intelligence, data centres and cloud, drones and space technology have formal State frameworks or programmes.
• The ICT Policy Framework 2016 was followed by the ICT Policy 2021-26, the latest ICT policy as of October 2026.

12.9–12.10 Inclusion, spread and the future

• ICT activity is concentrated in and around Hyderabad, while district IT towers have opened in several towns.
• The digital divide covers access, affordability, skills, usage and quality, not network coverage alone.