Srikanth Velamakanni — Co-founder of Fractal Analytics, a globally-recognised AI and analytics company — has been appointed the new Chairman of NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies), the apex industry body representing India's IT and Business Process Management (BPM) sector; the appointment comes as India's digital economy expands rapidly, and Velamakanni's strong AI background is expected to guide the IT industry through emerging technologies, global competition, and innovation-driven growth; NASSCOM was established in 1988 and represents over 3,000 member companies.

Srikanth Velamakanni has been appointed as the new Chairman of NASSCOM. He is known for his expertise in artificial intelligence and analytics. The appointment comes at a time when India's digital economy is rapidly expanding. His leadership is also expected to guide the IT industry through emerging technologies, global competition, and innovation-driven growth. Who is Srikanth Velamakanni? He is a well-known entrepreneur and technology leader; Co-founder of FRACTAL ANALYTICS — one of the leading AI and analytics companies globally; with over two decades of experience in data science, AI, and business strategy; recognised globally for contributions to analytics-driven decision-making. His strong AI background positions him as a key figure to drive innovation in India's IT ecosystem. Role of NASSCOM in India's IT sector: NASSCOM (National Association of Software and Service Companies) is the apex body representing India's IT and Business Process Management (BPM) industry. It promotes the growth of the IT and digital services sector; supports policy advocacy and industry collaboration; encourages innovation in AI, cloud computing, and digital technologies; and represents India's IT industry worldwide. What this leadership change means: Velamakanni's appointment is expected to influence several key areas. Given his AI background, there will likely be increased emphasis on AI adoption and innovation. As India's IT sector faces strong global competition, the leadership change can help align strategies for global expansion and partnerships. His vision will support growth in areas like data analytics, digital transformation, and emerging technologies.

Appointment

Srikanth Velamakanni — new Chairman of NASSCOM

Velamakanni's primary identity

Co-founder of Fractal Analytics — global AI and analytics company

Velamakanni's expertise

Artificial intelligence; analytics; data science; business strategy

Career experience

Over two decades in data science, AI, and business strategy

NASSCOM full form

National Association of Software and Service Companies

NASSCOM role

Apex body representing India's IT and BPM (Business Process Management) industry

NASSCOM founded

1988

NASSCOM headquartered

New Delhi (with offices across India and globally)

NASSCOM members

3,000+ member companies — Indian and multinational tech firms

NASSCOM's key functions

(1) Industry advocacy and policy engagement (2) Growth support for IT and digital services (3) Innovation promotion in AI, cloud, digital tech (4) Global representation of Indian IT industry (5) Talent and skill development initiatives

Strategic context

India's IT sector faces global competition (US, China, Eastern Europe); rapid AI adoption transformation; emerging technology focus

Velamakanni's expected priorities

AI adoption and innovation; global partnerships; data analytics growth; digital transformation; emerging technology leadership

• •NASSCOM: National Association of Software and Service Companies; established 1988; not-for-profit industry association; apex body of India's IT and Business Process Management (BPM) industry; headquartered in New Delhi; 3,000+ member companies
• •NASSCOM founding context: Founded in 1988 as part of the modernisation of India's IT industry; key figures including Dewang Mehta (longtime Executive Director who shaped early NASSCOM) and Narayana Murthy contributed to its development
• •Past NASSCOM Chairpersons (notable): Narayana Murthy (Infosys, 1992-94); Phiroz Vandrevala; Som Mittal; Krishnakumar Natarajan; Raman Roy; R. Chandrasekaran; Rishad Premji (Wipro); Anant Maheshwari (Microsoft India); Krishnan Ramanujam (TCS); Srikanth Velamakanni (current, 2026 onwards)
• •NASSCOM President (operational head): Rajesh Nambiar — current President of NASSCOM (since June 2024); successor to Debjani Ghosh (President 2018-2024)
• •Srikanth Velamakanni: Co-founder and Group Chief Executive of Fractal Analytics; over two decades' experience in data science, AI, business strategy; co-founded Fractal in 2000; alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad
• •Fractal Analytics: Indian-origin global AI and analytics firm; co-founded in 2000 by Srikanth Velamakanni and Pranay Agrawal; headquartered in Mumbai with global offices (US, UK, Singapore, UAE); serves Fortune 500 clients in CPG, financial services, healthcare, retail
• •India's IT and BPM sector size: Approximately $254-255 billion revenue in FY2024; contributes 7-8% to India's GDP; employs over 5 million people directly; targets $350-400 billion by 2030
• •NASSCOM key initiatives: (1) NASSCOM 10000 Startups — India's largest tech start-up programme (2) Centres of Excellence — AI, IoT, cybersecurity (3) Data Security Council of India (DSCI) — independent body on data protection (4) FutureSkills Prime — AI/digital skilling initiative with MeitY (5) NASSCOM Foundation — CSR and digital inclusion arm (6) NASSCOM Product Conclaves
• •NASSCOM AI Forum: Industry initiative to drive AI adoption, policy engagement, talent development, and ethical AI practices in India
• •Indian IT industry composition: (1) IT services — TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCLTech, Tech Mahindra (2) Engineering services — LTIMindtree, Cyient (3) BPM/BPO — Genpact, WNS, Wipro BPM (4) Product companies — Zoho, Freshworks, Tally (5) Global Capability Centres (GCCs) — 1,800+ centres of multinationals (6) Tech start-ups
• •Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY): Government of India ministry overseeing IT sector policy; key counterpart for NASSCOM advocacy; Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw (also Railways and Information & Broadcasting); MoS Jitin Prasada and Rajeev Chandrasekhar (later)
• •Recent Indian IT policy initiatives: (1) Digital India (2015) (2) National Digital Communications Policy 2018 (3) Personal Data Protection — DPDP Act 2023 (4) National AI Mission (5) IndiaAI Mission (March 2024 — Rs 10,372 crore allocation) (6) Semicon India Programme

1. 1988
   NASSCOM established.
2. 1992-94
   Narayana Murthy serves as NASSCOM Chairman.
3. 2000
   Srikanth Velamakanni and Pranay Agrawal co-found Fractal Analytics.
4. 2015
   Digital India initiative launched by Government of India.
5. 2018
   Debjani Ghosh becomes NASSCOM President.
6. 2023
   Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act 2023 enacted.
7. March 2024
   IndiaAI Mission approved with Rs 10,372 crore allocation.
8. June 2024
   Rajesh Nambiar becomes new NASSCOM President, succeeding Debjani Ghosh.
9. FY2024
   India's IT-BPM industry revenue reaches approximately $254-255 billion.
10. April 2026
    Srikanth Velamakanni appointed as new Chairman of NASSCOM.

• Trap · NASSCOM full form

  Correct: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOFTWARE AND SERVICE COMPANIES. NOT 'National Software Companies' or 'Indian Software Companies' or any other variant. Don't confuse 'NASSCOM' (industry body) with 'NASCOM' or 'NASSO'.

• Trap · NASSCOM founding year

  Correct: 1988. NOT 1985, 1991, or 1995. India's IT industry took off in the early 1990s post-liberalisation, but NASSCOM itself was founded in 1988.

• Trap · NASSCOM organisational nature

  Correct: NOT-FOR-PROFIT INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION. NOT a government body, regulator, or PSU. NASSCOM is a private industry association whose members include Indian and multinational tech firms; it engages with the government via MeitY but is independent.

• Trap · Velamakanni's company

  Correct: FRACTAL ANALYTICS — co-founded 2000 with Pranay Agrawal. NOT Mu Sigma (founded 2004 by Dhiraj Rajaram), NOT LatentView Analytics, NOT Tiger Analytics. All four are major Indian-origin AI/analytics firms — easy to confuse.

• Trap · NASSCOM Chairman vs President — different roles

  Correct: TWO DIFFERENT ROLES: (a) CHAIRMAN — apex industry leadership; rotational from member companies; current = SRIKANTH VELAMAKANNI (2026 incoming). (b) PRESIDENT — operational executive head; full-time staff leader; current = RAJESH NAMBIAR (since June 2024). Don't conflate.

• Trap · Past NASSCOM Chairpersons

  Correct: Notable past chairs include NARAYANA MURTHY (Infosys co-founder, 1992-94 chairmanship), Rishad Premji (Wipro), Anant Maheshwari (Microsoft India), Krishnan Ramanujam (TCS). The chairmanship rotates among senior IT industry leaders.

• Trap · India's IT-BPM revenue scale

  Correct: Approximately $254-255 BILLION in FY2024. NOT $100bn (way under) or $500bn (way over). Industry projects $350-400bn by 2030. Contributes 7-8% to GDP. 5+ million direct employees.

• Trap · IT services majors — top 5

  Correct: TCS (Tata) + Infosys + Wipro + HCLTech + Tech Mahindra. Add LTIMindtree (formed 2022 from L&T Infotech+Mindtree merger) and Mphasis to the major league. NASSCOM members include all of these.

• Trap · DSCI affiliation

  Correct: DATA SECURITY COUNCIL OF INDIA (DSCI) is a NASSCOM-affiliated body — set up to focus on data protection and cyber-security. NOT a government body, NOT independent from NASSCOM.

• Trap · FutureSkills Prime partnership

  Correct: FutureSkills Prime is a NASSCOM initiative for AI/digital skilling, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology). NOT pure NASSCOM, NOT pure government — joint.

• Trap · Fractal Analytics founding year + co-founders

  Correct: Co-founded in 2000 by SRIKANTH VELAMAKANNI and PRANAY AGRAWAL. NOT 2003 or any other year. Don't miss Pranay Agrawal as the other co-founder.

• Trap · Velamakanni's educational background

  Correct: Alumnus of IIT DELHI + IIM AHMEDABAD. Both top-tier Indian institutions. Don't confuse with other IIT/IIM combinations.