The Uttar Pradesh government has unveiled a major initiative to expand artificial intelligence, cyber security and data centre capacity across the state. The plan is intended to position the state as a national hub for digital services and to attract investment in technology and infrastructure. Officials described the initiative as a multi-year effort combining capital investment, policy support and skills development.

An initial allocation of Rs 15 billion (bn) has been announced to fund the first phase of the programme, which will prioritise the construction of scalable data centres and secure connectivity. The scheme will include development of modular facilities with a combined capacity target of 100 megawatt (MW) of IT load, and support for edge computing nodes in district centres. The government plans to offer incentives and streamlined approvals to encourage private sector participation.

The initiative will also focus on cyber security, with plans to establish a state cyber security centre and dedicated response teams to protect public systems and critical infrastructure. A complementary skills programme will aim to train 10,000 technicians and professionals in AI and cyber security disciplines through partnerships with industry and educational institutions. The programme will seek to create an ecosystem that supports start-ups, research and commercial deployment of new technologies.

Officials indicated that implementation will roll out in phases over three years, with monitoring mechanisms to measure uptake, job creation and investment flows. The government expects improved service delivery, increased private investment and enhanced resilience of critical systems as key outcomes. Observers said the focus on both digital infrastructure and security reflects growing demand from enterprises and the public sector for secure, locally hosted capabilities.