India's IT sector, once the undefeated champion of our economic story, is facing its very own
mid-life crisis. For decades, it was the goose that laid golden chips (pun intended), but today, it
finds itself weathering some harsh storms. Here’s why the IT sector seems to be stumbling
and, let’s be honest, it’s not just about AI.

1. The Financial Bubble: Overfeeding the Goose
India has shovelled resources into IT for decades like there’s no tomorrow. Did someone say,
“Starve thy neighbour”? Yes, our love for IT left deep-tech and manufacturing gasping for
oxygen. Imagine throwing lavish banquets for one family member while others survive on
crumbs. The result? Sectors like chemical and mechanical engineering grew anaemic, while IT
became the celebrity everyone invites to parties.

2. AI Disruption: The Rise of the Bots
Artificial intelligence has entered the scene with all the subtlety of a dinosaur at a garden party.
Automation is replacing repetitive tasks, making entire job roles obsolete. IT companies
grappling with overcapacity and inefficiency are shedding their human workforce and filling
roles with shiny algorithms that don’t need breakfast, lunch, and chai breaks every two hours.
Data Check: India’s IT workforce saw a decline of over 6% in entry-level positions over the last
year, while automation increased productivity by 30% in some operations.

3. Valuation Obsession: Unicorn Fever
Startups are chasing billion-dollar valuations harder than a dog behind a car. The obsession
with becoming unicorns has caused a neglect of that tiny thing called "profitability." When
revenue becomes an afterthought, sustainability gets shoved out the door. Would you rather
have an actual cash cow or a mythical horned horse? India picked the unicorn.
So, how do we clean this mess?

There’s hope on the horizon if we act now. But we have to hit some key buttons fast:
● Shift Focus to Products: The days of relying only on outsourcing are over. We need
products that make waves globally, think AI platforms, advanced hardware, and core
technologies.
● Investment Beyond IT: It’s time to invest in diversified industries such as AI, robotics,
bio-tech, you name it. Let’s put "Make in India" into hyperdrive!
● Revenue First: Forget vanity metrics; profitability and sustainability need to be our
guiding stars. Remember, “apna sapna money money”

Data Check: India needs to accelerate investments in non-IT sectors; right now, just 12% of its
venture capital flows into hardware or deep tech.

Final Thought:
Let’s face it, India’s IT sector isn’t going anywhere, but its glory days might be behind it unless it
pivots quickly. If we play our cards right, though, the IT sector can evolve into something even
more robust, something truly forward-looking.
India, it’s time to create, not just deliver. Let’s move from being the service champs to the
innovation leaders. The golden goose isn’t dead, but it’s just in desperate need of a change in
diet. I mean, now that I think I used a bit of AI to make this article a bit better but that doesn't
mean I won't get a job as a content writer.