Introduction: India’s Tech Evolution and the Product Nation Ambition

India’s technology sector has long been recognized as a powerhouse for IT services and back-office operations. However, as the global digital economy matures, the country’s aspirations are evolving. Under the leadership of Sindhu Gangadharan, Chairperson of Nasscom and SVP & MD of SAP Labs India, the industry is setting its sights on a bold new vision: transforming India into a global product nation. This strategic shift, highlighted in a recent Business Standard interview, is poised to redefine India’s role in the global technology landscape.

From Services to Products: The Next Leap for Indian IT

For decades, India’s IT sector has been synonymous with world-class services delivery. The country’s Global Capability Centres (GCCs) have played a pivotal role in supporting multinational corporations with engineering, R&D, and digital transformation. Today, over 1,580 GCCs operate in India, employing more than 1.66 million professionals, according to Nasscom’s GCC Trends 2023 report.

Yet, as Sindhu Gangadharan emphasizes, the future lies in leveraging this foundation to build, scale, and export world-class products. The goal is not just to be the “back office of the world,” but to become a global innovation hub where products are conceived, developed, and launched to solve real-world problems.

Sindhu Gangadharan’s Vision: Key Highlights from the Business Standard Interview

In her conversation with Business Standard, Gangadharan outlined several strategic priorities for Nasscom and the broader tech ecosystem:

• Product Innovation: Fostering a culture of product thinking across startups, scale-ups, and established enterprises.
• GCC Evolution: Encouraging GCCs to move up the value chain from service delivery to product ownership and co-innovation.
• Talent Development: Upskilling India’s workforce in product management, design thinking, and emerging technologies.
• Global Play: Positioning Indian products for global markets, not just domestic consumption.
• Collaboration: Building bridges between academia, industry, and government to accelerate product-led growth.

“India has the talent, scale, and ambition to lead in the product space. Our focus must now shift from services to solutions that create lasting impact globally,” said Gangadharan in the interview (Business Standard, June 2024).

Why Global Capability Centres (GCCs) Matter in the Product Nation Journey

GCCs have been instrumental in establishing India as a global tech hub. According to Deloitte’s 2024 GCC Trends, India is now home to over 50% of the world’s GCCs, with new centres increasingly focusing on product engineering, AI, and digital platforms.

Recent research by EY’s India GCC Pulse Survey 2023 highlights a significant shift: 62% of GCCs in India are now engaged in end-to-end product development, compared to just 30% five years ago. This evolution is critical for India’s product nation ambition, as GCCs bring together global best practices, domain expertise, and access to international markets.

Talent: The Cornerstone of India’s Product Nation Strategy

None of these ambitions can be realized without world-class talent. As the product landscape becomes more competitive, the demand for skilled professionals in product management, UX/UI design, AI/ML, and cloud engineering is skyrocketing.

According to Nasscom’s 2023 report, India will need to upskill over 2 million tech professionals by 2025 to meet the demands of product-centric roles. This requires a concerted effort from industry, academia, and talent partners.

Han Digital: Empowering the Talent Ecosystem for a Product-Driven Future

As India accelerates its transition to a product nation, organizations need partners with deep expertise in talent markets and leadership hiring. Han Digital, a leading talent consulting firm, stands out for its unique understanding of the evolving needs of GCCs and product organizations.

Han Digital’s Unique Value Proposition

• Market Intelligence: Han Digital’s proprietary research and talent mapping offer unparalleled insights into the availability, cost, and quality of product talent across India’s tech hubs.
• Leadership Connections: With established relationships with senior leaders across IT, product, and digital domains, Han Digital facilitates strategic hiring for both startups and Fortune 500 GCCs.
• End-to-End Talent Solutions: From executive search to large-scale product team builds, Han Digital supports organizations at every stage of their product journey.
• Advisory Services: Han Digital partners with organizations to design talent strategies aligned with global product mandates, ensuring readiness for innovation-led growth.

“We see a clear trend: GCCs and Indian tech firms are not just looking for coders, but for product thinkers, innovators, and leaders who can drive global impact,” says a senior consultant at Han Digital.

Recent Research: Trends Shaping India’s Product Nation Ambitions

Several recent studies validate India’s readiness to become a product powerhouse:

• McKinsey’s 2024 India Tech Report projects that India’s product tech sector could contribute over $200 billion to GDP by 2030, driven by exports in SaaS, AI, and digital platforms.
• Gartner’s 2023 GCC Survey found that 68% of new GCCs in India are being set up with a product-first mandate, focusing on innovation and IP creation.
• Nasscom’s Start-up Pulse 2024 highlights a 30% YoY increase in Indian product startups securing global customers, underlining the shift from service contracts to product-led growth.

These trends underscore the urgency for organizations to invest in talent, R&D, and ecosystem partnerships to stay ahead.

Challenges on the Road to a Product Nation

While the vision is compelling, several challenges must be addressed:

• Skill Gaps: There is a shortage of experienced product managers, designers, and deep-tech engineers.
• Mindset Shift: Moving from a services mindset to a product-centric approach requires cultural transformation within organizations.
• IP and Innovation: India must strengthen its IP frameworks and encourage risk-taking in product development.
• Global Branding: Indian products need stronger global branding and go-to-market strategies.

Organizations like Han Digital play a crucial role in bridging these gaps by advising on talent strategy, leadership hiring, and cultural transformation.

Opportunities for Professional Services Companies Establishing GCCs in India

For global professional services firms, India offers unmatched advantages for setting up GCCs with a product focus:

• Access to Talent: India’s large pool of STEM graduates and experienced tech professionals is a magnet for innovation-driven GCCs.
• Cost Efficiency: Operating costs remain 30-40% lower than comparable global locations, enabling greater investment in R&D.
• Innovation Ecosystem: Proximity to startups, academia, and industry bodies like Nasscom fosters collaboration and rapid prototyping.
• Regulatory Support: Government initiatives such as Digital India, Startup India, and the National Policy on Software Products provide a conducive environment for product-led growth.

According to PwC’s India GCC Survey 2023, 72% of professional services firms plan to expand their GCC footprint in India by 2025, with a strong focus on product innovation and digital transformation.

Case Study: How Han Digital Enabled a Global GCC’s Product Transformation

One of Han Digital’s recent success stories involves partnering with a Fortune 100 professional services firm to transform its India GCC from a service delivery centre to a global product innovation hub.

• Challenge: The firm needed to hire 200+ product managers, UX designers, and AI engineers within 12 months to support new product launches.
• Solution: Han Digital leveraged its talent intelligence platform to identify, engage, and onboard top talent from across India’s leading tech clusters.
• Outcome: The GCC successfully launched three new SaaS products for global markets, earning industry recognition and driving double-digit revenue growth.

This case exemplifies the strategic role of talent partners in India’s product nation journey.

How Organizations Can Prepare for India’s Product Nation Era

To capitalize on the opportunities ahead, organizations should:

1. Invest in Talent: Prioritize hiring and upskilling in product management, design, and emerging technologies.
2. Foster Product Thinking: Encourage a culture of innovation, experimentation, and ownership across teams.
3. Leverage Ecosystem Partnerships: Collaborate with Nasscom, startups, academia, and talent partners like Han Digital.
4. Focus on Global Markets: Design products with a global mindset, leveraging India’s unique strengths in scale and diversity.
5. Strengthen IP and Compliance: Invest in IP protection, data privacy, and regulatory compliance to build trust with global customers.

By following these steps, companies can position themselves at the forefront of India’s product revolution.

Conclusion: India’s Moment to Lead as a Product Nation

As Sindhu Gangadharan and Nasscom chart a new course for India’s tech sector, the message is clear: the time to move from services to products is now. With a vibrant ecosystem of GCCs, startups, and talent partners like Han Digital, India is uniquely positioned to become a global product leader by 2030.

For professional services companies, the opportunity to establish and scale product-focused GCCs in India has never been greater. By investing in talent, innovation, and strategic partnerships, organizations can not only drive business growth but also contribute to India’s emergence as a true product nation.

Stay tuned to Business Standard and Han Digital for more insights on India’s tech transformation and the future of global capability centres.