By Kavita Mistry 
In a landmark move to strengthen digital sovereignty and reduce reliance on foreign software, the Ministry of Education has directed all departments to exclusively use the Zoho Office Suite for creating, editing, and sharing official documents. The initiative aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission and the government’s push toward homegrown technology.
Strategic Shift Towards Indigenous Software
According to a memorandum from the Department of Higher Education, the shift to Zoho represents a strategic effort to transform India from a service-based economy into a product-driven nation. All ministry officials and staff must familiarize themselves with Zoho’s tools and seek support from the CMIS/NIC division if required.
Seamless Integration and Collaboration
Zoho Office Suite is now fully integrated with NIC mail, enabling easy access without separate logins or installations. This ensures secure document handling, improved collaboration, and streamlined workflows across government departments.
A Step Toward Data Security and Sovereignty
Officials described the decision as a bold step toward creating a secure, scalable, and sovereign IT ecosystem. By adopting Zoho, the ministry aims to bolster domestic innovation, reduce software import dependency, and strengthen India’s position in the global digital economy.
Official Communication Issued
The directive, digitally signed by Nishant Upadhyaya, Under Secretary to the Government of India, has been circulated to senior officials, including personal secretaries to the Education Minister and Ministers of State.