Impacting 50 Million Lives in India

Plus, how four of Cisco’s nonprofit partners are empowering healthcare, education, and job readiness in India.

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For over 30 years, Cisco has partnered with India to shape its digital future, foster innovation, and build a workforce ready for tomorrow. But our impact goes far beyond business.

In 2013, when India implemented a law requiring companies to invest in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, Cisco saw an opportunity not just to meet the mandate, but to go above and beyond.

The bold goal: Positively impact 50 million lives in India by 2025. With your support, Cisco didn’t just meet that goal — we exceeded it after reaching this milestone in March 2025.

This achievement, alongside Cisco’s One Billion Lives initiative, reflects Cisco’s shared dedication to powering an inclusive future for all.

A bold vision fueled by our people

The Cisco India Purpose Office led the way, crafting a strategy that combined innovative technology with collaborative partnerships.

Through initiatives like the India Cash Grant Program, we amplified our impact by supporting local nonprofits that use technology to address critical needs like education, healthcare, crisis response, and economic empowerment. Cisco employees also played a key role, from mentoring our partners on cybersecurity to sharing expertise in business operations.

As Managing Director and Chief Policy Officer, India and SAARC Harish Krishnan says: "The India Cash Grant Program uses digital technology to drive social impact. By aligning with government priorities and fostering collaboration, we support innovation and capacity building. This holistic approach amplifies impact, ensuring resources create lasting change for a more inclusive and prosperous society."

Stories that inspire

From enabling job readiness to transforming healthcare, here are some of the initiatives rooted from our collaborative efforts:

A farmer holds a drone that can monitor and spray crops, while five kids watch.

Indus Action
Cisco's collaboration with Indus Action through the Eklavya project transforms education policy with tech-driven solutions. Focused on the Right to Education Act, Cisco's grant enhanced data collection systems, enabling efficient decision-making and policy execution for state governments. The project positively impacted 500,000 people.

A woman wearing a sari holds a smart phone.

NIIT Foundation
Since 2017, Cisco and the NIIT Foundation have collaborated to champion education and empowerment through the Cyber Suraksha project (Suraksha meaning safety in Hindi). Since 2022, this project has helped more than one million individuals — 40 percent of which are women — develop cybersecurity skills, and more than 7,000 participants secure cybersecurity roles.

A young boy uses a smart phone with a workbook in his lap.

Quest Alliance
The Future Right Skills Network is a collaborative effort between Cisco, Accenture, SAP Labs, and J.P. Morgan, facilitated by Quest Alliance. So far, more than 300,000 students have gained employable skills across Industrial Training Institutes, and over 26,000 students have landed full-time jobs. More than 1,500 trainers, equipped with

A doctor using technology while checking a patient with a stethoscope.

The Piramal Swasthya Foundation
Cisco's partnership with Piramal Swasthya in the Niramay initiative is revolutionizing healthcare delivery in Assam, India. By integrating digital health technology, the collaboration enhances telemedicine, diagnostics, and patient record management, addressing vital healthcare needs in underserved areas. With more than 110,000 patient records digitized, this partnership is setting new standards for public healthcare.

Technology as a catalyst for change

At Cisco, we don’t just talk about making a difference — we act on it. Whether you’ve shared your skills, mentored partners, or championed our purpose, this success is the culmination of our collective efforts.

From opening Cisco’s first office in India in 1995 to leading initiatives that empower millions today, Cisco’s legacy in India coincides with the nation's growth as an emerging leader in innovation and technology.

With nearly one billion internet users, the world’s third-largest digital economy, and more than 70 percent of its younger generation aspiring to work in tech, it’s safe to say India is firmly in its digital boom. In fact, just last year, Boston Consulting Group ranked India in the top 10 for AI readiness and second globally for AI specialists.

With one billion lives impacted globally and another 50 million lives changed in India, our journey to power an inclusive future for all continues. Let’s keep creating positive social impact — one partnership at a time.

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