HCLTech has signed a major agreement with the Odisha government that will bring significant technology investment to the state.
Under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Mangal, Odisha is rapidly emerging as India’s next technology and innovation powerhouse. The landmark MoU with HCLTech marks a major milestone in the state’s AI journey.
HCLTech Investment Details
The partnership will bring an investment of around ₹15,000 crore over the next five years. This is one of the largest commitments in Odisha’s technology sector in recent times.HCLTech will establish its first AI Data Centre in India as part of this initiative. The project also includes setting up an AI & Digital Engineering Global Delivery Centre in Bhubaneswar.
New Facilities in Bhubaneswar
The AI & Digital Engineering Global Delivery Centre will be located in Bhubaneswar. This centre will serve as a key hub for HCLTech’s global operations in artificial intelligence and digital engineering.The AI Data Centre will support advanced computing needs and strengthen India’s digital infrastructure. Both facilities represent a strong vote of confidence in Odisha’s growing capabilities.
Job Creation and Opportunities
The initiative is expected to create over 5,000 high-skilled direct jobs. It will also generate thousands of indirect employment opportunities in the region.These positions will focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, data management, digital engineering, and related technical fields. The development comes as Odisha continues to build its talent pool in technology.
Impact on Odisha’s Tech Sector
HCLTech’s entry is set to accelerate Odisha’s progress in the AI and technology space. The investment will help develop modern infrastructure and bring global best practices to the state.Local businesses and service providers are likely to benefit from the increased economic activity around the new centres. Students and professionals in Odisha will gain access to more opportunities in high-tech sectors.
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The project aligns with the state’s vision of becoming a leading destination for technology and innovation. With this MoU, Odisha takes a concrete step toward building a strong AI ecosystem.Authorities expect the facilities to become operational in phases over the coming years. The full investment of around ₹15,000 crore will be rolled out across the next five years.This partnership between HCLTech and the Odisha government highlights the state’s readiness to host large-scale technology projects. It positions Bhubaneswar and Odisha as an emerging player in India’s digital economy.
People in Odisha can expect new job openings in technology sectors in the coming years. Students and professionals interested in AI and digital engineering should watch for upcoming recruitment drives by HCLTech. The state government is likely to announce further details on training programs and support initiatives to prepare local talent for these roles.
Explore Odisha AI Policy
Odisha AI Policy 2025 is a comprehensive framework launched by the Odisha government to position the state as a leader in artificial intelligence adoption for governance, economic growth, and public welfare. It is one of the early dedicated state-level AI policies in India.
Key Objectives and Vision
The policy aims to leverage AI for socio-economic progress across sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, disaster management, and public service delivery. It promotes responsible, inclusive, and ethical AI use while building robust infrastructure and skills.
Core goals include:
Improving governance efficiency and citizen-centric services.
Driving innovation, startups, and job creation.
Ensuring data sovereignty and multilingual AI solutions tailored to Odisha’s context.
Promoting sustainable AI development with a focus on clean energy.
Four Key Pillars
AI Infrastructure — Development of data centres, computing resources, high-speed connectivity, and innovation hubs.
Skills Development — Training programs to build a skilled AI workforce. Targets include training thousands of citizens annually and introducing AI education in schools (35% by 2029, scaling higher later).
Energy Sustainability — Promoting green and clean energy solutions for AI operations.
Regulatory Mechanisms — Ethical guidelines, governance frameworks, and supportive policies for responsible AI adoption.
Institutional Framework: Odisha AI Mission
The policy establishes the Odisha AI Mission as its cornerstone. It follows a two-tier structure:High-level AI Taskforce for strategic oversight.
AI Cell under the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC) for technical execution, startup support, incubation, and pilot projects.
Key initiatives under the Mission:
Setting up AI labs at premier institutes like IIT Bhubaneswar, NIT Rourkela, IIIT Bhubaneswar, and NISER.
AI innovation challenges and hackathons for sector-specific solutions.
“Open-first” approach with a State Open AI Hub for open-source tools and datasets.
AI Centre of Excellence (CoE) on a hub-and-spoke model.
Focus on localisation, community engagement, and citizen participation in data annotation.
Link to Investments and HCLTech
This policy directly supports major investments like the recent HCLTech MoU. The agreement for an AI Data Centre and Global Delivery Centre in Bhubaneswar aligns with the policy’s infrastructure and sovereign AI goals. It is part of broader efforts, including the planned Odisha Sovereign AI Park, aiming to create thousands of high-skilled jobs and strengthen the state’s digital ecosystem.
Implementation Implementation and Timeline
Operational guidelines were issued in 2026 to roll out the policy, with focus on pilots in priority sectors, skilling drives, and partnerships with academia and industry. The government is also collaborating with entities like Sarvam AI for advanced capabilities.
Overall Impact: Odisha AI Policy 2025 positions the state as an emerging AI hub in eastern India. It balances technological advancement with inclusivity, ethics, and local needs, supporting the vision of a “future-ready Samruddha Odisha.”
For the most accurate details, refer to the official Odisha AI Policy-2025 document available on government portals. The policy continues to evolve with new roadmaps and partnerships.
