India’s digital economy is expanding at nearly twice the pace of the overall economy, Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Secretary S. Krishnan said on Monday, citing a ministry study. Speaking at the Nagaland Digital Entrepreneurship and Startup Fest in Kohima, he noted that the digital sector, which contributed about 6–7 per cent to the GDP before 2010, had doubled its share by 2014 and continues to accelerate rapidly, according to an IANS report dated December 9, 2025.
Northeast’s Role in India’s Tech Landscape
Highlighting the talent pool in Nagaland, Krishnan praised the creativity and English proficiency of Naga youth and underscored the critical role of the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) in nurturing digital skills. Of the 55 NIELIT centres across the country, 20 are located in the Northeast, reflecting the region’s growing significance in India’s technology landscape.
Cybersecurity as a Strategic Priority
Krishnan identified cybersecurity as a strategic priority, stressing that India cannot rely on foreign technologies in this domain. He described the Cyber Security Lab at NIELIT Kohima as among the best in the country and a key contributor to cyber policing efforts. He also commended the strong showing by NIELIT Kohima and NIELIT Mokokchung at a recent Artificial Intelligence event in New Delhi.
Boosting Entrepreneurship and Startup Ecosystems
Encouraging entrepreneurship, Krishnan reportedly said startups are essential for job creation and expressed hope that more startups and collaborations would emerge from the region. He acknowledged the role of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) in attracting private equity and appreciated the functioning of STPI Kohima, while suggesting the exploration of a new Software Park to address space constraints.
New Digital Platforms and Reports Launched
During the programme, Krishnan launched the Digital Learning and Simulation Hub, the Digital Delivery of Statutory Services initiative, and the Pulse App, an AI-driven news platform. The Conference Report of NCCDFI 2025 was also released, followed by the presentation of the Nagaland Digital Startup Awards 2025.
NIELIT’s Role in Nagaland’s Development
Nagaland Commissioner and Secretary for P&AR and Power, Mohammed Ali Shihab, said NIELIT continues to play a vital role as the state advances through an active developmental phase with growing engagement from external agencies.
The event concluded with a panel discussion on “Nagaland’s Digital Opportunity – From Labs to Scalable Startups,” emphasising the region’s potential in the evolving digital economy.
