India: A Rising Digital and Media Powerhouse

India is rapidly ascending as a global economic and digital giant. Fuelled by massive internet adoption, a young and increasingly tech-savvy population, and bold government reforms, the country is reshaping global technology and business flows.


According to Google, Temasek & Bain, India’s internet economy is projected to grow from USD 175 billion in 2022 to nearly USD 1 trillion by 2030. Meanwhile, the IBEF estimates that number of active internet users have exceeded 900 million, making India the second-largest online population in the world.

From startups to scale-ups

India is also the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, with more than 100 unicorns across fintech, e-commerce, healthtech, and edtech. Companies such as Flipkart, Paytm, Ola, BYJU’S, and Zomato reflect both local scale and global ambition.


The UPI-powered fintech revolution is setting international benchmarks for digital payments, while the e-commerce market, which is the eighth largest globally, is projected to be worth $400 billion by 2030, according to Wright Research.

A digital-first population

With 65% of Indians under 35, digital adoption is booming. Consumers spend 4–7 hours daily on platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and homegrown apps such as ShareChat and Moj.


Streaming is also reshaping entertainment, with OTT platforms like Disney+ Hotstar, Netflix, JioCinema, and Amazon Prime thriving, with regional language content driving the next wave of growth.

Media landscape: diversity at scale

India is the world’s second-largest media market, where traditional and digital coexist:

  • * Television reaches over 800 million viewers, anchored by national networks and hundreds of regional channels.
  • * Print retains deep influence, with 100,000+ registered publications, many in local languages, according to PIB India.
  • * Radio and community FM thrive in rural markets.
  • * Digital influencers and creators dominate youth engagement.

Publishing hubs

India’s press is anchored in powerful regional hubs, each with its own flavour:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publishing hubs across India (map view)

 

This geographic spread ensures vernacular media rivals English press in reach and influence, making India’s media ecosystem one of the world’s most complex but rewarding.

The Global Indian Diaspora and Corporate Power

Indian technology professionals are among the most visible leaders in the global diaspora, heading major companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Adobe. 

 

Their networks drive global investments, partnerships, and knowledge back into India.


Domestic multinationals like Infosys and the Tata Group embody dual roles: global service providers and local anchors for innovation and infrastructure.


Infosys operates across nearly 60 countries, while Tata has become a household name abroad with its ownership of Jaguar Land Rover.

For global companies, this translates into multiple opportunities:

  • * Partnering with Indian giants as suppliers or co-developers.
  • * Building global capability centres (GCCs) in India.
  • * Selling into the domestic market, now one of the largest consumer economies.

Sidebar: India eyes new markets amid global shifts

The current Trump administration’s tariffs has accelerated India’s push to diversify trade. Companies are:

  • * Deepening ties with Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
  • * Benefiting from “China+1” supply chain strategies, with manufacturers shifting to India.
  • * Scaling domestic resilience through PLI (Production-Linked Incentives) in electronics, green energy, and semiconductors.

This outward-looking strategy enhances India’s appeal as both a supply hub and a consumer market.

A final word: India’s “wow factor”

Beyond being a digital giant, India has become a surprising global heavyweight. The country operates one of the largest satellite constellations in the world through ISRO, launching payloads for both domestic and foreign clients. Meanwhile, Indian conglomerates own marquee global brands like Jaguar Land Rover, which symbolise of how far Indian enterprise have travelled.


For businesses and investors, the takeaway is clear: India is a global force shaping technology, media, and commerce both at home and abroad.

Looking to scale your strategy across India and the region?


At Priority Consultants, we help brands act as trusted strategic partners to customers and stakeholders. Whether it’s driving growth, managing transformation, or shaping policy, our integrated communications strategies are built to deliver measurable impact.


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