India is an emerging market in the mobile phone
manufacturing, but is a great driving force behind the growth of mobile app
industry. India is the third largest country in the world in Google play
downloads. Combined with the number of mobile phone users in India, this is a
clear indication that the mobile app industry is set for an exponential take off.
India also has an active app developer community
which may further boost the market. Indian mobile app development companies are
finding new ways to get into the market. A number of entrepreneurs are coming
up with new app ideas with the target to capture the local market. With the
launch of the “Make in India” initiative by the government, there are many small
to medium entrepreneurs, who have entered the mobile software industry with the
passion to capturing the local market through mobile technology. Though the
growth of this sector would be primarily driven by the demand in the e-commerce
in the retail segment, gaming, entertainment and such areas so as to have
maximum inclusion of target customers, yet in order to give the desired push to
this segment of economy, the government also needs to provide favourable
environment.
At localized levels, many State Governments have
taken the initiative of using mobile phone technology to provide transparent
and accountable governance and for making available various kinds of public
service to people. Such kinds of steps are required to be taken across all
regions by both Central Government and different State Governments. There are
many verticals, such as agriculture, healthcare, education and financial
inclusion where apps can be designed at the local level, preferably in
vernacular languages so as to increase the impact and reach of these
initiatives. The government support in these sectors will certainly invigorate
the mobile app development industry.
In order to bring
about a dynamic growth in this sector, it is important that local players or
the small and medium entrepreneurs are given sufficient encouragement and
support in various forms, such as funding through banks, tax holiday, etc as
well as encouragement to local companies for apps being developed on behalf of
the government, which can play a significant role in invigorating the demand
side of the industry. Anant Computing Platform – which develops the next generation of mobile
apps for digitally inclusive India is addressing a number of
local issues with its vernacular language apps. It is made for people who do
not understand the language of the Apps – English, and government must push
companies through various initiatives under “Make in India” plan.