1980s - Several European airlines start using Delhi as a base for back-office operations, British Airways being one of them.
1980s - American Express consolidates its JAPAC (Japan and Asia Pacific) back-office operations into New Delhi.
1990s - With the onset of globalisation in India, successive Indian governments pursue programmes of economic reform committed to liberalisation and privatisation.
1990s - General Electric starts GECIS (GE Capital International Services) in India.
1994 - The Indian government announces a policy under which the telecom sector is liberalised and private participation is encouraged.
1999 - India`s new telecom policy brings in further changes with the introduction of IP telephony and the end of the state monopoly on international calling facilities.
2000 - Some team members from GECIS quit and, with VC funding from Chrysalis Capital, start Spectramind. At the same time, an organisation called EXL starts in Noida, Efunds starts in Mumbai and Gurgaon, and Daksh in Gurgaon.
2002 - Despite being a fledgling in the global ITES/BPO industry, the Indian ITES industry records a growth rate in excess of 50%.
2002 - All major Indian software organisations are into BPO, including Infosys (Progeon), HCL, Satyam (Nipuna) and Patni.
2003 - The ardent advocacy of the ITES/BPO industry leads to the inclusion of call centres in the `Business Auxiliary Services` segment, thereby ensuring exemption from service tax under India`s Finance Bill.
2003 - India`s ITES-BPO (IT-enabled services/business process outsourcing) segment is estimated to have achieved a 54% growth in revenue as compared to the previous year. This segment also proves to be a major opportunity for jobseekers, creating employment for around 74 400 additional personnel in India during 2003 and 2004.
2003 - Daksh is bought out by IBM and, later in 2006, MphasiS by EDS. International third-party BPO players like Convergys and Sitel set up shop in India, swelling the BPO movement to India.
2004 - The number of Indians working for the BPO sector jumps to 245 500 by March that year.
2004 - The Indian BPO sector witnesses considerable activity during 2004 and 2005, including a ramping up of operations by major Indian and MNC players and stepped up hiring. The domestic BPO market, catalysed by demand from the telecoms and BFSI segments, matches the growth of BPO exports.
2005 - The Indian BPO industry employs in excess of 245 100 people and another 94 500 jobs are added during this current financial year (2005-2006).
Sources: The History and Development of the Internet: a Timeline. Wikipedia. Keith Lynch`s timeline. Hobbes` Internet Timeline. About.com.
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