A new report by PwC India titled “Navigating the Value Shift” reveals that Indian businesses could unlock up to USD 9.82 trillion in gross value added (GVA) by 2035 by focusing on domain-driven growth—a transformative approach that goes beyond traditional sector boundaries to meet evolving human and industrial needs.
Amidst megatrends like climate change, shifting demographics, and rapid tech disruptions, the report outlines how domains—interconnected ecosystems that integrate multiple industries—will become the new units of economic growth. These domains provide a future-ready framework for businesses to diversify, innovate, and scale, helping them thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
“India’s CEOs are already responding to these shifts. But to sustain momentum, we must go beyond ad hoc diversification. A domain-led lens enables powerful collaborations across ecosystems and reimagines capabilities,” said Sanjeev Krishan, Chairperson, PwC India.
What Are “Domains” and Why They Matter
Domains, as defined by PwC, are markets structured around foundational human and industrial needs—such as how we build, move, care, make, connect, secure, sustain, enable, and consume. Unlike conventional industries, domains integrate multiple sectors, enabling broader participation and innovation.
Key Insight:
The “Make” domain—which includes manufacturing, industrial production, and adjacent technologies—is projected to grow from USD 945 billion in 2023 to USD 2.7 trillion by 2035.
Similarly, the “Build” domain is undergoing transformation through innovations in smart construction, digital building management, and sustainable infrastructure—reshaping real estate and urban development through technology and data.
Cross-Domain Synergies in Action
The report highlights how sectors like telecom illustrate the interconnectivity of domains. Telecommunications now power not just communications, but enable growth in healthcare (telemedicine), education (online learning), and security (smart surveillance). These emerging cross-domain value pools represent fertile ground for new business models and partnerships.
“India’s growth ambition is closely tied to its ability to innovate across domains,” said Arnab Basu, Partner and Clients & Industries Leader, PwC India. “We are witnessing bold moves from enterprises into digital, manufacturing, and sustainable infrastructure.”
PwC’s Framework: Glidepaths and Guardrails
PwC’s report goes beyond theory and introduces a strategic decision-making framework to help companies diversify effectively:
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Glidepaths: Strategic actions that help businesses enter domains with purpose
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Guardrails: Risk mitigators like ecosystem mapping, capability bridges, and foresight engines
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Anchor Tenants: Key sectors most aligned to each domain, enabling data-driven opportunity identification
“Businesses are constantly asking ‘Where to play?’ and ‘How to win?’ Our framework answers both,” said Raghav Narsalay, Partner & Leader – Research and Insights Hub, PwC India.
🇮🇳 India’s $30 Trillion Future: Domains as Growth Engines
With India’s economy expected to touch USD 30 trillion by 2047, domain-based innovation could be central to achieving inclusive and sustainable development. PwC’s blueprint supports national goals while giving enterprises the tools to compete globally, responsibly, and profitably.
