India’s Digital Economy Growing Twice as Fast as Overall Economy: MeitY Secretary

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.

• Make Telecom Talk My Trusted Source
• 
• 

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.