The Indian government has migrated the email accounts of over 1.2 million Central government employees, including those under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), from the National Informatics Centre (NIC)-based system to a new platform developed by Zoho Corporation, a home-grown technology company headquartered in Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu.
Strengthening Digital Sovereignty through Indigenous Technology
The Union Ministry of Education stated that the Zoho Office Suite had already been integrated into the NIC mail system and has now been fully activated. According to the ministry:
“By embracing Zoho’s indigenous office productivity tools, we are taking a bold step in the Swadeshi movement—empowering India to lead with home-grown innovation, strengthen digital sovereignty, and secure our data for a self-reliant future.”
A senior official explained that the move was aimed at preventing government employees from using open-source office tools that could pose potential data security risks. While Zoho’s suite had been available earlier, usage remained limited. The new initiative ensures that its features are prominently displayed within the government’s internal email system to encourage adoption.
Seven-Year Contract Awarded in 2023
Officials confirmed that while the email domain names (nic.in and gov.in) remain unchanged, the hosting and processing of data have now been transferred from NIC servers to Zoho’s cloud infrastructure. The company was awarded a seven-year contract in 2023 following a tender process. Established in 1976 under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), NIC has been the government’s key technology partner for decades, offering digital infrastructure and IT services to both Central and State governments.
Data Security and Oversight
Addressing security concerns, an official said the system underwent extensive scrutiny by multiple agencies, including NIC, CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team-India), and Software Quality Systems (SQS), which continues to audit Zoho’s platform periodically.
“We have ensured that all government data remain safe, secure, and compliant with national security protocols,” the official emphasized.
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Experts Call for Robust Encryption and Local Data Storage
Former IAS officer K.B.S. Sidhu welcomed the move toward indigenous solutions but urged stronger data protection measures.
“There is no objection to the government promoting a home-grown suite like Zoho. However, end-to-end encryption and robust, independently audited data center security within Indian borders are essential before full-scale adoption. Given the sophistication of state and non-state hackers, such safeguards must precede large-scale use involving Cabinet papers and other national security documents,” he cautioned.
Zoho’s Assurance: “Trust Is Our Core Principle”
Zoho’s founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu, who has been a member of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) since February 2021, reiterated the company’s commitment to privacy. Responding to questions on social media regarding the privacy features of Zoho’s messaging app Arattai, he stated:
“Our entire SaaS business is built on the trust that we do not access customer data, nor do we use it for marketing or advertising. End-to-end encryption is being implemented, and we will continue to earn the trust of every user globally.”
Move Triggered by Rising Cybersecurity Concerns
The transition follows the November 2022 ransomware attack on AIIMS Delhi, which disrupted the hospital’s digital and e-hospital services for over a month. In response, the Digital India Corporation (DIC) under MeitY floated a tender in February 2023 to select a private cloud service provider for managing and migrating existing and future digital government projects.
Ministers’ Private Adoption of Zoho Mail
Recently, several Union Ministers announced on X (formerly Twitter) that they had started using Zoho’s email services. However, an IT official clarified that these accounts are personal in nature, while all official correspondence continues to operate under the gov.in or nic.in domains.
The government’s decision to shift its vast email infrastructure to an Indian company marks a landmark step toward digital self-reliance and technological sovereignty. While the integration of Zoho’s indigenous suite underscores India’s ambition to become a “product nation,” cybersecurity experts stress the need for stronger encryption standards, local data audits, and transparent oversight mechanisms to ensure that India’s digital infrastructure remains secure, resilient, and future-ready.
