Union Home Minister Amit Shah has officially transitioned to Zoho Mail for his government correspondence, marking a significant endorsement of India’s homegrown tech ecosystem. On October 8, 2025, Shah took to social media platform X to announce his new official email ID—amitshah.bjp@zohomail.in—urging citizens and officials to update their records for future communication. The move is being seen as a symbolic yet strategic boost to India’s digital sovereignty and Swadeshi tech adoption.
“I have switched to Zoho Mail. Kindly note the change in my email address,” Shah posted, aligning his digital presence with the government’s broader ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Digital India’ initiatives.
Zoho Mail: India’s Privacy-Focused Alternative to Global Giants
Zoho Mail, developed by Chennai-based Zoho Corporation, is a secure, ad-free email service that offers custom domain support, encrypted communication, and local data hosting. The platform has gained traction among Indian professionals, startups, and now cabinet ministers, thanks to its privacy-first approach and integration with Zoho’s suite of 50+ business apps.
Zoho Mail vs Global Email Platforms
| Feature | Zoho Mail | Gmail / Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Data Hosting | India-based servers | Global (US/EU) |
| Ads | No | Yes |
| Privacy Policy | No data resale | Data used for targeting |
| Custom Domain Support | Yes | Yes |
| Encryption | End-to-end (chat) | Standard TLS |
| Cost | Free + Paid tiers | Free + Paid tiers |
Cabinet-Wide Swadeshi Shift: Zoho Finds More Takers
Shah’s switch follows similar moves by other senior ministers including Ashwini Vaishnaw, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Piyush Goyal, who have reportedly migrated their official communications to Zoho platforms. Vaishnaw has even shifted his entire digital workflow to Zoho, citing data security and indigenous innovation.
Ministers Using Zoho Platforms
| Minister | Platform Used | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Amit Shah | Zoho Mail | Official email |
| Ashwini Vaishnaw | Zoho Suite | Workflow, communication |
| Dharmendra Pradhan | Arattai | Messaging, outreach |
| Piyush Goyal | Zoho CRM | Trade and commerce tracking |
Arattai: Zoho’s Messaging App Surges Post Endorsement
Zoho’s messaging app Arattai—meaning “casual chat” in Tamil—has seen a massive surge in downloads following endorsements by ministers. Daily sign-ups jumped from 3,000 to over 350,000, making it the top downloaded app on Apple’s App Store and a top 100 app on Google Play. The company has accelerated its rollout of end-to-end encryption for chats, turning off cloud storage to ensure user data remains device-bound.
Arattai vs WhatsApp: Privacy and Performance
| Feature | Arattai | |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | End-to-end (calls, chats soon) | End-to-end (default) |
| Data Hosting | India | Global |
| Ads | No | No |
| Monetization | Subscription model | Meta ecosystem |
| Government Endorsement | Yes | No |
Zoho’s Expansion and Vision
Founded by Sridhar Vembu and Tony Thomas in 1996, Zoho Corporation now serves over 130 million users globally and employs more than 18,000 people. All products are developed in-house and hosted on Indian data centers in Chennai, Mumbai, and New Delhi. The company’s flagship suite, Zoho One, is often referred to as the “Operating System for Business,” offering integrated tools for CRM, finance, HR, and operations.
Zoho’s Core Offerings and Adoption
| Product Suite | Functionality | User Base (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Zoho Mail | Secure email | 25 million+ |
| Zoho CRM | Customer relationship management | 12 million+ |
| Zoho Books | Accounting and finance | 8 million+ |
| Zoho People | HR and payroll | 5 million+ |
| Zoho One | Integrated business suite | 15 million+ |
Digital Sovereignty and Public Sentiment
Shah’s move has sparked widespread support on social media, with users praising the shift as a bold step toward digital independence. Tech experts believe this could encourage more public institutions and state governments to adopt indigenous platforms, reducing reliance on foreign tech providers and enhancing data security.
Disclaimer: This news content is based on verified public statements, platform data, and ministerial announcements as of October 10, 2025. It is intended for editorial use and public awareness. The information does not constitute endorsement or technical advice and adheres to ethical journalism standards.
