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Better public procurement for IT in India

Author

Listed:
  • Ashok Pal Singh

    (Independent)

  • Karthik Suresh

    (National Law School)

  • Susan Thomas

    (xKDR Forum)

Abstract

Information technology (IT) systems are now ubiquitous in government. The Government of India has tripled its spending in real terms on IT procurement over the last fifteen years. IT procurement is tricky because these systems need continuous maintenance and refinement, and traditional systems of procurement are unsuitable for solving the incomplete contract problem that follows IT procurement. We build on three case studies from India -- Aadhaar, Passport Seva, and MCA-21 -- to make the case for why we need new thinking on IT procurement. Our solutions hinge around the fact that the government needs to build robust internal technical expertise even when system development has been outsourced. We make the case for flexible contracting, early concept verification, and strategic investments in state HR capabilities to successfully navigate the marketplace for digital services.

Suggested Citation

  • Ashok Pal Singh & Karthik Suresh & Susan Thomas, 2026. "Better public procurement for IT in India," Working Papers 51, xKDR.
    • Handle: RePEc:anf:wpaper:51
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://papers.xkdr.org/papers/2026Singhetal_rp_itProcurement.pdf
    File Function: First version, 2026
    Download Restriction: no
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D86 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Economics of Contract Law
    • H57 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Procurement
    • K12 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Contract Law
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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