Probably because Microsoft made newer versions to of Windows unusable on the cheap, older machines that are common there

Because it's free. That's the beauty of FOSS software. But only is it user freedom respecting but also often free of charge.

In third world countries like India where only a small percentage can afford a Windows licence, Linux can thrive. And once people see it can do anything that Windows can, and far better with no security concerns, plus they can modify and build upon Linux, they tend to adopt it with passion.

If you're starting a business in India and have little money but need an OS to run your business, Linux can do that for you for free.

I suspect it is a combination of its being free, working well on older hardware, and the tech literacy in India.

Software development and engineering are important aspects of the Indian economy. Linux is arguably the best platform for that kind of work, especially in the cloud. Tech support of those kinds of systems require the same skills.

Given how well Linux runs on older machines, I consider low Linux penetration a hallmark of rich countries.

In my own household, Linux goes on all the older hardware ( including Macs ). That has really extended the length of time before hardware needs to be replaced. It also means that, over time, the percentage of active equipment using Linux has increased.

Government departments are slowly ditching windows because everything they need to do can be done on Linux without malware attacks and every application screaming "buy me!" every time you open it.

Also educational institutions (at least in my State) do give basic Ubuntu training. I learned Gimp ,Inkscape and Libre office as part of my curriculum.

And we love free stuff.

Probably lots of devops and network engineers

Because they are smarter than the West and less likely to use the biggest "scam" called Windows. Linux is also suitable for less modern computers and useful with excellent FOSS software.

Bcz being seen as a hacker is cool

India is a country with a huge population India is also a third world country where people. 1 computer is probably an years wages for most Indians. And alot of linux distros run well on older hardware same goes for eastern europe and africa or so I hear plus engineering is very popular over there as embed put it himself

I can speculate:

1. Engineering is very popular in India and computer programming is one of the courses that is common to all disciplines. Our professors recommended installing Linux.

2. A few years back, Dell would sell budget laptops with Ubuntu preloaded instead of Windows. Although I can't find any right now.

3. Back around 2010s, in my state edu. board, we were taught about Ubuntu in high school and had Linux Mint installed in our school computers. Although the material was very shallow and designed short-shortsightedly, it helped introduce Linux and FOSS to lots of us.