NEW DELHI — In a move that signals a pivot toward an AI-first future for the Indian tech industry, Srikanth Velamakanni has been appointed as the Chairperson of Nasscom. Velamakanni, the Co-Founder and Group Chief Executive of Fractal, succeeds Sindhu Gangadharan (MD, SAP Labs India), whose term concluded in April 2026.
Velamakanni steps into the role after serving as Vice Chairperson and an Executive Council member for over six years. His appointment comes at a “defining moment,” as India seeks to transition from a global services hub to a leader in Agentic AI and DeepTech.
Strategic Priorities for 2026-27
Working alongside Nasscom President Rajesh Nambiar, Velamakanni has outlined a high-tech roadmap for the industry:
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Agentic AI & Product Innovation: Moving beyond basic AI to catalyze autonomous, multi-agent systems and vertical AI products for the global market.
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DeepTech & IP: Strengthening India’s footprint in semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and frontier engineering.
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Talent Transformation: Scaling skilling initiatives specifically for “Human + AI” roles, ensuring the workforce is ready for an AI-integrated economy.
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Responsible AI: Establishing industry-led standards to cement India as a trusted, sovereign hub for ethical and secure AI governance.
A Background in Innovation
An alumnus of IIT Delhi and IIM Ahmedabad, Velamakanni is recognized as one of the earliest proponents of “Sovereign AI” in India. His credentials include:
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Fractal Leadership: Leading one of India’s most prominent AI-first enterprises.
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Advisory Roles: Active participant in government advisory panels regarding national security and AI policy.
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Education: Founder and trustee of Plaksha University, focusing on reimagining tech education.
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Recent Honors: Recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award 2025 from IIT Delhi.
Industry Reactions
“India will play a pivotal role in this AI-led transformation. Our focus will be to drive the next cycle of AI-powered growth and prepare our workforce to lead with AI.” — Srikanth Velamakanni, Chairperson, Nasscom
“Srikanth brings a rare combination of entrepreneurial drive and AI depth… we will continue to position the tech industry as the world’s most trusted AI partner.” — Rajesh Nambiar, President, Nasscom
The Outgoing Leadership
Outgoing Chairperson Sindhu Gangadharan was lauded for leading Nasscom through a period of “extraordinary change.” Under her tenure, the Indian tech industry expanded its global scale and ambition, setting the stage for the “AI moment” that Velamakanni is now tasked with leading.
