We convert ideas into policy proposals to take to government stakeholders. As part of our advocacy efforts we explain, educate and inform government policymakers and other policy bodies that a vibrant software product industry is vital to India’s future. To aid policymaking, we also provide unbiased data about the produce industry through our Product Industry Monitor reports. We strive to have a symbiotic relationship with trade organizations, including NASSCOM and see them leading the charge of converting our policy prescriptions into reality.

PRINCIPLES GUIDING OUR POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

We do not expect the government to guide the market toward planned structural change. Instead of favouring an “optimal” degree of openness and “optimal” degree of outside competition, we subscribe to “maximum” openness and “perfect” competition.

There are 7 key principles that guide our recommendations:

1. Our belief is that the primary focus of policy should be to provide social, legal and economic infrastructure so that private enterprise can flourish.

2. We believe that Software Product Industry (SPI) start-up communities are networks —glorious in all their messiness and chaos. Yet they aren’t simply organic phenomena. They need careful nurturing and support.

3. We believe that market interventions should be simple, transparent and subject to rules rather than official discretion.

4. We believe that the Government should not create a software ecosystem for a specific product. It should restrict its role to being a market maker or to making public platforms (e.g. UID, GST) that have open access.

5. We believe that the co-evolution of institutions will be critical to success given the path-dependent nature of SPI evolution. This co-evolution of the institution can only be achieved within the framework of public-private governance of these institutions.

6. We believe that urgency is important. There are favourable international market conditions right now and quick action on policy and institutional fronts can recreate the East Asian miracle for India in SPI.

7. We believe that Indian SPI must have a high degree of cluster integration with other global technology clusters.

PRODUCT INDUSTRY MONITOR REPORTS

Until now, there has only been anecdotal data available for SPI. To address this issue, in partnership with Prof. Sharique Hasan of Stanford GSB, we have put in place an industry metrics program. This will yield a stream of Product Industry Monitor reports. These will offer policymakers credible industry data for effective policymaking. The first Product Industry Monitor report was released in February 2014.

POLICY ADVOCACY

Policy advocacy is an act of reaching out to government, regulators and public institutions to seek their support for policy recommendations made by iSPIRT to meet its objectives.

iSPIRT is leading following important Policy advocacy initiatives at present

  • Stay-in-India checklists
  • National Policy on Software Products

POLICY HACKS

PolicyHacks is the second prong of policy pillar, aimed at better understanding and use of policy by Software product industry, especially the young entrepreneurs or startups. Policy Hacks will carry out:

  • Research and analysis in evolving public policy for Software product industry
  • Demystify (simplify) existing policy issues to entrepreneurs

PolicyHacks will run as a structured program organizing events in various forms such as google hangouts, blogs and Q&A sessions, thereby actively engaging the Software product industry.

For more information, reach out to sudhir@ispirt.in

Policy Speaks

Policy Hacks – National Policy on Software Products (NPSP) 2019
March 4, 2019

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade’s Notification onTax [Section 56(2)(viib)]
February 19, 2019

Angel Tax Presentation To DIPP [Section 56(2)(viib)]
January 9, 2019

Budget Recommendations 2017
January 20, 2016

Tech Sutra : Software as India’s Soft Power
December 21, 2016

Blue paper on Software as an Instrument of Soft Power
December 13, 2016

Enabling a Level Playing Field for Startups
August 02, 2016

MCA issues for Stay-In-India Checklist
January 29, 2016

Blue paper on Taxation in the Digital Economy
January 29, 2016

Budget Recommendations for 2016
January 29, 2016

Comments on TRAI’s Consultation Paper on Differential Pricing
January 14, 2016

Letter to Mr. Jaitley on the needs of Startups
December 27, 2015

RBI Submissions for Stay-In-India Checklist
October 28, 2015

List of Key Issues to Stop Exodus of Startups
October 06, 2015

Draft – Startups Moving to Foreign Countries
September 22, 2015

Issues Facing Banking Correspondents in India
July 24, 2015

Draft Version JanDhan 2.0
June 18, 2015

Jan Samridhi – Making India Cashless – A Blue Paper
May 26, 2015

Draft Proposal for Incentivizing Cashless Transactions
May 22, 2015

Rationale for Various Points in the National Policy on Software Products
May 15, 2015

Comments on SEBI Discussions Paper on Alternative Capital
April 20, 2015

Draft Net Neutrality Paper
April 13, 2015

Discussion Paper on Alternative Capital Raising Platform
March 31, 2015

Policy Brief – Funds of Funds for Startups
February 17, 2015

Definition of Software Products Draft
February 11, 2015

Digital SME Paper
January 13, 2015

Draft National Policy on Software Products V1
December 31, 2014

Union Budget Representations 2015-16
November 23, 2014

Letter to Shri Arun Jaitley
November 23, 2014

I-Prize Framework
October 29, 2014

Proposal for Software Product Development Fund
October 08, 2014

Tulsi – Open API document
August 27, 2014

Draft reference to Software Products in Independence Day Speech
August 14, 2014

Concept Paper on Software Product Database
August 06, 2014

Recommendation on SEBI Consultation Paper for Crowd Funding
July 15, 2014

Blue Paper – Why India must become a Software Product Nation
June 19, 2014

Blue Paper – India as a Product Nation
June 19, 2014

New Budget Representations for Indirect Tax
June 06, 2014

New Budget Representations for Direct Tax
June 06, 2014

Bluepaper – Strategic Importance of the Indian Software Product Industry
June 06, 2014

Draft Note on Patents
May 31, 2014

Definition for Software Products
May 15, 2014

Key Issues of the Software Product Industry
May 15, 2014

Budget Representations 2014-15
May 15, 2014

Bluepaper on Reimbursing of Patent Expenses
March 03, 2014

Revisions required for R&D Credit Application form
December 30, 2013

Jewellery Initiative under SAI
December 17, 2013

Blue Paper – Case for Indian Software Product Industry
November 23, 2013

SAI Bangalore Meeting
October 09, 2013

promotion of investment for R&D Credits
June 08, 2013

Proposal for DEITY Roundtable
July 29, 2013