IT-enabled services
Also called: ITeS, ICT-enabled services, ICT-based services · Topic: Sectors of the Indian Economy · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 2 "Sectors of the Indian Economy"; Class 10, Ch 4 "Globalisation and the Indian Economy"
Meaning
IT-enabled services (ITeS) are new services that run on information and communication technology (ICT), meaning computers, the internet and telecom. They include software, call centres, data entry and accounting. They grew rapidly and are exported, which makes them a key driver of India's service-led growth. They have moved from software and BPO (business process outsourcing) work to today's Global Capability Centres (GCCs), which are in-house offices of global firms located in India.
Example
A Pune call centre answering customers of a foreign bank and a Bengaluru firm writing software for overseas clients both provide IT-enabled services. India's services exports were about US$387 billion in 2024-25.
Don't confuse with
- Low-skill services: small shopkeepers, repair persons and transport workers are also in the tertiary sector, but many of them "barely manage to earn a living". ITeS form the high-skill, well-paid end of the service sector.