| Linking up with the global economy: A case study of the Bangalore software industry |

Table 1: The Indian software Industry revenues 1990-1995 (millions of United States dollars) | |
1990-91 |
1991-92 |
1992-93
|
1993-94
|
1994-95
|
| Domestic |
115 |
140
|
163
|
230
|
350
|
| Exports |
128 |
164
|
225
|
330
|
485
|
| Total |
243 |
304
|
388
|
560
|
835
|
Source: NASSCOM, The Software Industry in India, 1996: Strategic Review
Table 2: A break-down of Indian software activities | Software Activity |
Domestic
|
Export
|
| Turnkey |
37.8 per cent
|
-
|
| Professional Services |
-
|
49 per cent
|
| Products and Packages |
38.3 per cent
|
11 per cent
|
| Consultancy |
7.0 per cent
|
25 per cent
|
| Training |
6.4 per cent
|
-
|
| Data Processing |
8.2 per cent
|
9 per cent
|
| Other |
2.3 per cent
|
6 per cent
|
Source: NASSCOM, 1996, p. 14
Table 3: Average basic monthly software salaries in India
| Worker |
Salary
(Rs./month)
|
Salary
US$/month PPP*
$/month
|
| Entry level, non-computing qualification |
4,500
|
140563
|
| Entry level computing qualification |
6,600
|
210825
|
| Programmer - 1 year experience |
9,000
|
2901,125
|
| Programmer - 2 years experience |
12,000
|
3801,500
|
| Programmer - 3-4 years experience |
13,500
|
4301,688
|
| Analyst/Programmer - 5 years experience |
15,500
|
4901,938
|
| Systems Analyst - 5 years experience |
19,000
|
6102,375
|
| Systems Analyst - 8 years experience |
22,500
|
7202,813
|
| Project Manager - variable experience |
20-40,000
|
640-1,2702,500-5,000
|
| Average over whole industry |
14,500
|
4601,842
|
Source: Heeks, 1996, p. 115
* Purchasing power parity, source for conversion factor: World Bank, 1997, p. 249
Table 4: Monthly charges made by United States and Indian software companies (in US$)
US Software Companies
| Worker |
US End-User
|
US Agency*
|
| Junior Programmer |
8,000-9,000
|
6,000-7,000
|
| 2-4 years experience |
9,000-10,000
|
7,000-8,000
|
| Analyst |
10,000-12,500
|
8,000-10,000
|
| Project Manager |
12,500+
|
10,000+
|
Indian Software Companies
| Worker |
Onsite
|
Offshore
|
| Junior Programmer |
3,500-4,000
|
1,800-2,300
|
| 2-4 years experience |
4,000-4,600
|
2,300-2,900
|
| Analyst |
4,600-5,800
|
2,900-3,700
|
| Project Manager |
5,800-7,000
|
3,700-4,600
|
Source: Heeks, 1996, p. 117
* Agency refers to companies supplying software professionals to provide temporary software services on a contractual basis
Table 5: Policies that affected the Indian Software Industry | Year |
Policy Action |
Details |
| 1972 |
Software Export Scheme |
Hardware imports were permitted for the purposes of software development on the condition that the price of the hardware was recouped through foreign exchange earnings within 5 years |
| 1976 |
Further liberalisation of policies related to the software industry |
Hardware import duties reduced from over 100 per cent to 40 per cent; faster clearance of software export applications; software exporters could take advantage of export incentives including locating in EPZs; non-resident Indians allowed to import hardware for the purposes of software export with a 100 per cent export obligation |
| 1981 |
Stricter controls on imports |
Import duties on hardware were raised but firms were allowed to use the hardware for the development of domestic software as well as for exports; Software exporters could also import "loaned" computers |
| 1984 |
New Computer Policy |
Import procedures for hardware and software simplified; import duties for hardware and software reduced from 135 per cent to 60 per cent for hardware and 100 per cent to 60 per cent for software; software was recognised as an industry and licensing procedures were simplified; improved access to foreign exchange for software firms; income tax exemption on net export earnings was reduced from 100 per cent to 50 per cent. |
| 1986 |
Computer Software Export, Software Development and Training Policy |
Imports of hardware and software were further deregulated, anyone could import software at 60 per cent duty. 100 per cent export oriented software production units were permitted to import hardware duty free; Indian firms were allowed to sell foreign software, i.e. they could become distributors; export obligations for hardware importers increased by 50 per cent and the time in which to meet the obligations reduced to 4 years; |
| 1988 |
Software Technology Parks of India Scheme |
Creation of software technology parks for the production of software for export (see box 1) |
| 1991 |
The Economy-wide Liberalisation Programme |
Devaluation of the Rupee; partial convertibility of the Rupee; abolition of foreign exchange for travel tax; reduction in telecommunications charges for satellite links; duty-free and obligation-free imports of telecommunications equipment in the STPs; reduction of import duties on software in 1994 to 20 per cent for applications software and 65 per cent for systems software and in 1995 to 10 per cent for both; liberalisation of hardware import duties and loans for importing hardware given certain export obligations; export obligations could be met from earnings from on-site services |
| 1992 |
Recent Tax Policies |
Software exports brought under the Income Tax Act exempting exporters from income tax; confirmation of this status occurred on an annual basis until 1995 when confirmation became open-ended. Because software exports were brought under the same chapter of the tax code as merchandise exports, some of the benefits were eroded due to the different characteristics between merchandise and software exports. Income tax exemption offered to EPZs and 100 per cent export oriented units was extended to software exports from companies taking part in these schemes which were established in or after 1993. |
Sources: Heeks, 1996, pp. 42-49; Evans, 1992; Sen, 1995
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