Pune has a burgeoning software industry. Many of India's major software players such as TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Mahindra British Telecom, Mastek Ltd., Kale Consultants, and Persistent Systems and global majors like PTC, IBM, Sybase, EDS, I-Flex, TCS, Wipro, Infosys, Cognizant, Sasken, KPIT Cummins Infosystems Inc.,Amdocs, Avaya, Veritas Software, and TIBCO Software have a major presence in Pune's various Software Technology Parks.

 

Pune is also becoming a prominent city for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies. Companies like Convergys, WNS, Progeon, EXL and MphasiS have started their operations. Pune comes as a natural choice for BPO companies due to the availability of skilled manpower.

Pune is a major industrial centre, worthy of being termed Detroit of India. It is home to one of the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturers - Bajaj Auto. The World's second largest forging company Bharat Forge Ltd is a part of Pune. It is also home to Kinetic Engineering, Force Motors (previously known as Bajaj Tempo). India's largest motor company, Tata Motors has its plant here.

 

DaimlerChrysler also has an assembly line for its Mercedes Benz brand. Cummins Engines Co Ltd has a Research & Technology India center in Pune in addition to its manufacturing plant here. Whirlpool as well as LG have appliance manufacturing plants near Pune. Frito Lay and Coca Cola also have manufacturing plants in Pune. Pune is also home to numerous small and medium sized enterprises. Pune also houses the headquarters of Bank Of Maharashtra.

 

Pune has many institutions of higher education, including the University of Pune. Specialized institutions include the Symbiosis Institute of Telecom Management (SITM), Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication (SIMC), the College of Engineering, B.J. Medical College, the Bharati Vidyapeeth's Deemed University, the Armed Forces Medical College, the Army Institute of Technology (AIT), Sinhagad college of engineering, the Inter-University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, and the National Chemical Laboratory. National Defence Academy (NDA), which trains officers of India's armed forces, is located at Khadakwasla, on the outskirts of Pune. Fergusson College (1885) is the oldest and one of the most important colleges in this city. Other famous colleges include Brihan Maharashtra College of

Commerce. The Symbiosis Society, despite it's reputation, has been criticized for overcharging students. Pune's pride is Govt. College of Engineering (COEP) established in 1854, is India's oldest Engineering college and is known for its Alumni spread across the globe.

 

Students from all over India, the Middle East, and Africa come to Pune for higher education, particularly in engineering and management. Pune is also rapidly becoming a major center for Information Technology (IT) in India. With numerous engineering and management institutes it was called the Oxford of the East by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister.

 

Pune is also known for its high standards in high-school education. Some of the noted schools include Jnana Prabodhini, Abhinava Vidyalaya, The Bishop's School, The Army Public School, St Vincent's High School, Loyola High School, and the international Mahindra United World College of India.

In the year 2000, eyeing the huge potential in the city, Maharashtra State Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) launched Pune Infotech Park, spanning 200 acres, at Hinjewadi. Spurred by the huge demand, MIDC is now coming up with the second phase of Pune Infotech Park spanning 600 acres.

 

Another player is Pune Software Park (PSP), which boasts of India's only private facility with an onsite VSNL earth station. Formalities, red tape sanctions, permissions, delays and hassles do not exist in this zone, making Pune an attractive IT destination." The Indo-American Capital and Technology Corporation (ICAT) and the Dalamal group promote

PSP. An International Convention Centre of approximately 1.2 million sqft is being developed on Senapati Bapat Road by a Consortium of Industrialists in collaboration with the Panchshil group.

 

Cyber City, on Pune - Sholapur Road, near Hadapsar is being developed by the Magarpatta Township & Construction Co. Ltd. This is one of the largest IT Parks with 20,00,000 sqft of total built - up area.