JAMMU, April 08: In a major boost to the digital and innovation ecosystem of Jammu & Kashmir, the Union Territory has secured formal approval from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for the establishment of a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Indian Institute of Technology Jammu.
Terming the development a landmark achievement, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo said that with the visionary support of MeitY, Jammu & Kashmir is poised to emerge as a vibrant hub for artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. He added that the initiative complements plans for upcoming IT parks in Srinagar and Jammu, positioning the UT at the forefront of India’s digital transformation.
He noted that the establishment of the CoE will create new opportunities for the youth by equipping them with cutting-edge skills in AI and allied domains, thereby building a skilled local workforce for the proposed IT parks, for which land and logistics are currently being finalised.
Highlighting the broader impact, Dulloo said the initiative will significantly enhance employability and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among the youth. He further observed that the CoE is expected to catalyse the development of a robust research and innovation ecosystem in the region.
The Chief Secretary also underscored the importance of collaborations with premier national and international institutions, startups and industry leaders, which will further strengthen J&K’s position in the technology landscape.
He emphasised that the CoE, along with the proposed IT parks, will act as a catalyst for attracting investments in the technology sector, encouraging startups and leading companies to establish a presence in the Union Territory, thereby driving economic growth and large-scale job creation.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to inclusive development, Dulloo stated that the initiative will ensure that the benefits of advanced technologies like AI reach even the remotest areas of Jammu & Kashmir, promoting equitable and sustainable growth.
Secretary, Information Technology, Piyush Singla described the initiative as a “game-changer” for the UT’s innovation ecosystem. He said the CoE will bridge the gap between academia and industry, empower youth with future-ready skills, and enable the transformation of citizen-centric services through AI-driven solutions.
The proposal from J&K was approved during the inaugural Project Approval Board (PAB) meeting under MeitY’s pan-India initiative for setting up AI Centres of Excellence under the IndiaAI Mission.
The Centre of Excellence will be established within a dedicated 10,000 sq. ft. facility at IIT Jammu, which will serve as the anchor institution and implementation agency for the project.
With a total outlay of ₹20 crore under a 90:10 funding pattern between the Government of India and the UT Government, to be disbursed over four years, the CoE will function through a robust Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) framework under the oversight of the IT Department.
The Centre will foster a collaborative ecosystem involving academia, government, industry and corporate stakeholders, guided by MeitY’s IndiaAI Division. This convergence is expected to drive cutting-edge AI applications and solutions.
The CoE will spearhead advanced research and development in key sectors such as governance, healthcare, agriculture and disaster management, while also nurturing startups and strengthening skill development.
Aligned with the broader objectives of the IndiaAI Mission, the initiative is set to play a pivotal role in accelerating technological advancement and socio-economic development across Jammu & Kashmir.
