Intel's Debjani Ghosh becomes the first woman to head India's tech industry

New Nasscom President takes charge of a $167 bn sector that's moving from low-paid legacy work to newer technologies, from cloud to artificial intelligence

In a sign of the times, the organisation that speaks for and champions India’s $167 billion IT services industry will soon get its first female head.

Intel Corp. veteran Debjani Ghosh takes over as president of the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom)  in April -- three decades after its formation. After a two-decade career at the U.S. chipmaker, most recently as managing director for South Asia, Ghosh will lead the trade body that represents global leaders in software outsourcing from Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. to Infosys Ltd.

Ghosh promises to advocate for women in a workplace that