JAMMU, APRIL 08: In a significant stride towards strengthening the digital and innovation ecosystem of the Union Territory, Jammu & Kashmir 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 (IIT), Jammu.
Terming the development as a landmark achievement, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo stated that with the visionary support of MeitY, Jammu & Kashmir is poised to emerge as a vibrant hub for artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, positioning the UT at the forefront of India’s digital transformation with the establishment of IT parks at Srinagar and Jammu too in pipeline.
He maintained that the establishment of the CoE will open new avenues for the youth of the region by equipping them with cutting-edge skills in AI and allied domains so as to have local manpower available for the proposed IT parks for which land and other logistics are being worked out by the Department. He further observed that these initiatives will significantly enhance employability prospects and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among our young population.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the initiative, the Chief Secretary observed that the CoE is expected to catalyse the development of a robust research and innovation ecosystem. He envisaged that meaningful collaborations with premier national and international institutions, startups, and industry leaders, will further strengthen J&K’s position in the technology landscape.
He further emphasized that the CoE together with these IT Parks will act as a catalyst for attracting investments in the technology sector, encouraging startups and leading industry players to establish a footprint in the Union Territory. This, he said, will contribute significantly to economic growth and large-scale job creation.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to inclusive development, the Chief Secretary stated that the Centre will ensure that the benefits of advanced technologies like AI permeate even to the remotest areas of Jammu & Kashmir, thereby supporting equitable and sustainable development.
Secretary, Information Technology, Dr Piyush Singla, described the initiative as a “game-changer” for the UT’s innovation ecosystem. He remarked that 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 the adoption of AI-driven solutions.
It is pertinent to mention that the proposal from J&K was approved in the inaugural Project Approval Board (PAB) meeting under MeitY’s pan-India initiative for setting up AI Centres of Excellence under the IndiaAI framework. The swift approval reflects the UT administration’s meticulous planning, strong institutional coordination, and high-quality proposal submission.
The Centre of Excellence will be established within a dedicated 10,000 sq. ft. built-up space at IIT Jammu, which will serve as the anchor institution and implementation agency for the project.
With a total outlay of ₹20 Cr under a 90:10 funding pattern between MeitY, Government of India, and the UT Government, to be disbursed over a period of four years, the CoE will operate through a robust Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) framework under the oversight of the Information Technology Department.
The Centre will foster a collaborative ecosystem involving academia, government, industry, and corporate stakeholders, guided by MeitY’s IndiaAI Division. This convergence of students, researchers, innovators, and industry leaders is expected to drive cutting-edge AI applications and solutions.
The CoE is going to spearhead advanced research and development in key sectors such as governance, healthcare, agriculture, and disaster management, while also nurturing startups and enhancing skill development. Aligned with the broader objectives of the IndiaAI Mission, the initiative is set to play a pivotal role in accelerating technological growth and socio-economic development across Jammu & Kashmir.
