Software Technology Parks of India

Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) is a government agency in India, established in 1991 under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, that manages the Software Technology Park scheme. It is an export oriented scheme for the development and export of computer software, including export of professional services. It provides physical infrastructure, including dedicated high speed connectivity to technology parks, freedom for 100% foreign equity investment and tax incentives. STPI provides physical hosting for the National Internet Exchange of India.

STPI claims to have played a seminal role in India having earned a reputation as an information technology superpower. More than 6,000 businesses are registered under the STPI umbrella, with 36% growth by value in 2005-06 exports over the previous year. The state with the largest export contribution was Karnataka (see Bangalore). STPI has a presence in many of the major cities of India including the cities of Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Gurgaon, Pune, Guwahati, Noida, Mumbai, Kolkata, Kanpur, Lucknow, Dehradun, Patna, Ranchi, Gandhinagar, Imphal, Shillong, Nashik etc.

STP schemes provide facilities for the IT industry, helping them undertake software development and IT enabled services for 100% exports that include professional services. For that, data communication links have been established, providing high speed connectivity.

Software trade

The following table shows the historical trend of software trade with figures in millions of US Dollars. 

Year Software exports

1980 4

1985 27

1990 131

1995 668

2000 5,300

2005 17,500

However the software industry remains process driven and thus lacks conspicuous brands .

Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Government of India

Map of software parks in India

National centres

STPI's national headquarters is in New Delhi. Major national centers include:

STPI Bangalore

STPI Chennai

STPI Hyderabad

STPI Mangalore

STPI Mumbai

STPI Kolkata

STPI Bhubaneswar

STPI Lucknow

STPI Dehradun

STPI Guwahati

STPI Noida

STPI Jaipur

STPI Hubli

STPI Patna

STPI Gandhinagar

STPI Ranchi

STPI Kanpur

STPI Shillong

(source:wikpedia)