Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently announced that he is switching to Zoho for handling documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. The move is seen as a push to promote Made-in-India digital tools.
The sudden shift has sparked questions about the platform, as Microsoft Office has long dominated as the leading paid productivity software for official and personal use. However, Vaishnaw’s decision to adopt Zoho highlights the growing importance of domestic alternatives in the digital workspace.

In his post, the IT Minister wrote,  “I am moving to Zoho — our own Swadeshi platform for documents, spreadsheets & presentations. I urge all to join PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s call for Swadeshi by adopting indigenous products & services.”

What is Zoho

Zoho Corporation is one of India’s most successful technology companies and a global leader in Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). Founded in 1996 by Sridhar Vembu and Tony Thomas as AdventNet Inc., the company rebranded as Zoho in 2009 to focus on cloud-based business applications. Headquartered in Chennai and legally incorporated in the US, Zoho has built its name as an affordable, reliable alternative to tech giants like Microsoft and Google.

Central to Zoho’s identity is its “Made in India, for the World” philosophy. A large part of its operations is run from Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, reflecting Vembu’s vision of rural-first development and decentralised technology. Today, Zoho generates over $1 billion in annual revenue, serves 100 million users across 150+ countries, and caters to businesses ranging from startups to Fortune 500 firms.

The company offers more than 80 integrated cloud applications, including productivity tools under Zoho Workplace and Zoho Office Suite, alongside business apps such as Zoho CRM, Zoho Books, Zoho People, Zoho Projects, and Zoho Desk. Its bootstrapped growth, strong stance on privacy, and in-house ecosystem make it unique in the global tech landscape. Recognised as a symbol of self-reliant innovation, Zoho continues to expand worldwide, showcasing India’s capability to build world-class technology.