The Indian government has successfully migrated nearly 12.68 lakh official email accounts across various ministries and departments to a secure, cloud-based platform powered by Zoho Corporation, as informed to the Lok Sabha on December 10, 2025. This includes approximately 7.45 lakh accounts belonging to Central government employees, representing a significant step toward digital sovereignty and enhanced data security. Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada shared these details in a written reply to a query from Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, emphasizing the migration's completion through the National Informatics Centre (NIC), which remains the mandated provider for government email services. The initiative, part of the broader push for indigenous technology adoption, aims to replace legacy systems with modern, reliable alternatives while ensuring uninterrupted operations.

The shift to Zoho's platform was initiated following a 2023 tender by the Digital India Corporation (DIC), a MeitY entity, to select a master system integrator for cloud-based email and collaboration tools. Zoho, a Chennai-headquartered SaaS major founded by Sridhar Vembu, emerged as the partner due to its compliance with stringent security audits by agencies like CERT-In and NIC, alongside its 99.9% uptime guarantee on a 24x7 basis. The contract explicitly stipulates that all data and intellectual property generated during the engagement remain under government ownership, with built-in provisions for business continuity, rollback options, and minimal data loss in contingencies. This model integrates Zoho's office suite—encompassing email, calendars, task management, and productivity tools like word processors and spreadsheets—seamlessly into NIC's infrastructure.

High-profile endorsements have accelerated the rollout, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah announcing his switch to Zoho in October 2025, followed by IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in September, who highlighted its role in promoting "Swadeshi" alternatives to global providers like Google and Microsoft. Even the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has transitioned its accounts, underscoring the platform's scalability for over 50 lakh Central government employees overall. The migration aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, fostering homegrown innovation in categories like operating systems, social media, and cybersecurity to mitigate risks of "access disruptions" from foreign dependencies.

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While the total Central workforce stands at about 50.14 lakh employees, the current 7.45 lakh migrated accounts mark substantial progress, with plans for further expansion. Security remains paramount, with regular audits by Software Quality Systems (SQS) and endorsements from security bodies ensuring robust protection against cyber threats. Critics, including former IAS officer K.B.S. Sidhu, have called for even stronger pre-migration safeguards, but officials affirm the platform's reliability through rigorous testing.

This development not only bolsters operational efficiency—via features like secure file sharing and integration with government domains—but also positions India as a leader in digital self-reliance. As Zoho's ecosystem expands, it could inspire similar shifts in other sectors, reducing reliance on multinational tech giants and empowering local firms in the $250 billion IT services market.

With the Lok Sabha disclosure closing the loop on a year-long effort, the migration exemplifies proactive governance in the digital age, potentially serving as a blueprint for state governments and public sector undertakings to enhance resilience and innovation.

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