New Delhi: India’s digital economy has surged threefold to $370 billion in 2023, from $108 billion a decade ago, and is on track to surpass $1 trillion by 2030. However, a new landmark report launched today by the GSMA warns that unless critical innovation and adoption gaps are closed, momentum could falter before India achieves its 2047 digital sovereignty goals.

Launched today at India Mobile Congress, the ‘Towards Digital Sovereignty in India’ report finds that India performs above the average of Asia Pacific countries in most dimensions of the GSMA Digital Nations Index, with strengths in security and infrastructure. India also shows strong performance in the people dimension, reflecting progress on digital skills and inclusion initiatives.

The government’s flagship Digital India plan, and its related programmes, have delivered substantial social and economic impact. In addition to advancing digital and financial inclusion, the nation’s digital economy represented 11.7% of gross value added by 2023, or approximately $370 billion.

However, the report calls out innovation as India’s Achilles’ heel. While India leads in digital public infrastructure and mobile rollout, it lags in R&D investment, private sector innovation, and retention of skilled professionals. Without urgent action, India risks a “brain drain dividend” that benefits global competitors instead of fuelling domestic growth.

Connectivity gaps also remain stark: nearly 47% of Indians are still offline, and women are 33% less likely than men to use mobile internet. This entrenched digital gender divide could hold back inclusive growth if not urgently addressed.

Vivek Badrinath, Director General at the GSMA, said: “India has become a digital powerhouse over the past decade, with world-leading innovation in digital public infrastructure and 5G rollout. But to sustain this momentum, India must focus on innovation, boost R&D, strengthen data governance, and ensure every citizen — especially women and rural communities — can benefit. True digital sovereignty means leaving no one behind.”

Key Priorities for India’s Digital Sovereignty Journey

The report sets out four urgent priorities:

• Accelerate cross-sector collaboration – unite government, industry, and partners to fight fraud, close usage gaps, and scale innovation.
• Unlock greater investment – enable fibre rollout, data centres, and R&D through supportive policy frameworks.
• Maintain global cooperation – leverage India’s leadership in the Global South to expand technology exports and standards influence.
• Strengthen institutional capacity – prepare regulatory and governance frameworks for the next wave of technologies: AI, 6G, blockchain, and quantum computing.