**Executive Summary**
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced that India's data centre capacity is projected to grow from 1.5 GW to 6.5 GW by 2030, positioning the nation as a global leader in the "Data Centre Economy." This expansion is expected to generate approximately one lakh engineering jobs and is supported by strategic reforms in AI, quantum technologies, and clean energy. The government is committed to an integrated national approach to establish India as a trusted hub for digital infrastructure and technology partnerships.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Sectoral Growth and Economic Projection**
* Data centre capacity is expected to increase more than fourfold, reaching nearly 6.5 GW by 2030.
* The sector is described as the “next oil economy,” shifting focus toward data control, digital infrastructure, and secure ecosystems.
* India is transitioning from observing global breakthroughs to becoming a primary partner in frontier technology.
**Employment and Skill Development**
* The expansion is projected to create nearly one lakh engineering jobs.
* Key areas for recruitment include AI systems, cooling technologies, smart grids, renewable energy integration, and advanced digital infrastructure.
**Technological Milestones**
* The National Quantum Mission has achieved over 1,000 kilometres of secure quantum communication infrastructure in three years, ahead of its eight-year schedule.
* Growth is being driven by rapid developments in AI, 6G, semiconductors, and digital public infrastructure.
* Future growth depends on resilient supply chains, subsea cable infrastructure, and sustainable energy systems.
**Government Reforms and Policy Support**
* Implementation of long-term tax incentives for foreign cloud service providers.
* Opening of strategic sectors, including space and nuclear energy, to private sector participation.
* Establishment of the National Research Foundation and the Semiconductor Mission to foster deep-tech research and innovation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Engineering Professionals and Students**
**Impact**
They will benefit from the creation of 100,000 new jobs in high-tech specializations.
**Action Required**
Develop expertise in emerging fields such as AI systems, smart grids, and sustainable cooling solutions.
**Private Industry and Global Investors**
**Impact**
Unprecedented opportunities for technology collaboration and investment in hyperscale data centres and colocation markets.
**Action Required**
Engage as equal partners with the government in nation-building and leverage new enabling frameworks for deep-tech research.
**Foreign Cloud Service Providers**
**Impact**
Subject to favorable long-term tax incentives and a supportive policy environment for digital infrastructure.
**Action Required**
Evaluate India as a destination for digital infrastructure expansion and leverage provided fiscal incentives.
**Renewable Energy Stakeholders**
**Impact**
Increased demand for clean energy integration to power the expanding data centre ecosystem.
**Action Required**
Coordinate with infrastructure providers and the government to ensure sustainable energy supply for 6.5 GW of capacity.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Science & Technology: The primary union ministry overseeing India's strategic push into data centers, artificial intelligence, and next-generation digital infrastructure.
National Quantum Mission: A key government initiative aimed at establishing secure quantum communication infrastructure and positioning India as a leader in frontier technologies.
Semiconductor Mission: A transformative national program designed to develop a sustainable semiconductor ecosystem and prepare India for strategic industrial leadership.
National Research Foundation: An initiative focused on facilitating deep-tech research, innovation, and fostering government-industry partnerships in science and technology.
AMCHAM India: The American Chamber of Commerce in India, which organized the Annual Leadership Summit focused on future-proofing India’s data center supply chains.
Ministry of Science & Technology
One Lakh Engineering Jobs Expected from
India’s Expanding Data Centre Sector: Dr
Jitendra Singh
India Can Lead the World in “Data Centre Economy”;
Government Ready to Walk the Extra Mile with Industry: Dr
Jitendra Singh
India no longer waits for success stories abroad; today the
world wants to partner with India in frontier technologies,
says Union Minister
AI, Quantum and Clean Energy to Power India’s Next
Technology Revolution: Dr Jitendra Singh
Posted On: 22 MAY 2026 3:53PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Minister of
State for PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh
today said that India is entering a decisive phase where data centres, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum
technologies and next-generation digital infrastructure will shape the future global economic order,
asserting that the world now increasingly looks towards India for technology partnerships instead of India
waiting for breakthroughs elsewhere. He said India is fully prepared to emerge as a trusted global data
centre hub backed by policy reforms, private sector participation, clean energy integration and a rapidly
expanding innovation ecosystem.
Delivering the keynote address during the Special Session on “Future-Proofing India’s Data Centres:
Resilient Supply Chains and Opportunities” at the Annual Leadership Summit organised by AMCHAM
India, Dr. Jitendra Singh said India can no longer view the data economy merely as a technological
transition, but as a strategic national opportunity that will influence investments, employment, energy
systems and geopolitical competitiveness in the decades ahead.
The Minister said India’s data centre capacity is projected to grow from 1.5 GW to nearly 6.5 GW by 2030
and the ongoing expansion is expected to generate nearly one lakh engineering jobs in areas such as AI
systems, cooling technologies, smart grids, renewable energy integration and advanced digital
infrastructure. He said India’s rapidly evolving ecosystem driven by AI, 6G, semiconductors and digital
public infrastructure is creating unprecedented opportunities for global investments and technology
collaboration.Describing data centres as the “next oil economy”, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the future will increasingly
revolve around data control, digital infrastructure and secure technology ecosystems. He stressed that
India must move with an integrated national approach involving Government, private industry,
infrastructure providers, telecom networks, renewable energy stakeholders and research institutions to
fully leverage the emerging opportunities in hyperscale data centres and colocation markets.
Referring to the fast-changing global technology landscape, the Minister said India today stands at the
same level of technological progression as leading nations in several frontier sectors. He cited the National
Quantum Mission as a major example and said India has already achieved more than half of its planned
targets in less than half the stipulated time. Against the target of establishing 2,000 kilometres of secure
quantum communication infrastructure over eight years, India has already crossed 1,000 kilometres within
just three years.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said the Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken several bold and
transformative decisions to prepare India for future technologies and strategic industries. He referred to
long-term tax incentives for foreign cloud service providers, the National Research Foundation, the
Semiconductor Mission and the opening of sectors such as space and nuclear energy to private
participation. He said many of these reforms were considered unimaginable a few years ago, but India has
demonstrated the political will to move rapidly in areas critical to future economic growth and
technological leadership.
The Minister said the Government is not only facilitating technology development but also creating
enabling frameworks to accelerate industry participation. Referring to recent initiatives supporting private
sector innovation and deep-tech research, he said India is witnessing a new era where Government and
industry are working as equal partners in nation-building through science and technology.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said India’s future growth in the data centre sector would depend upon resilient supply
chains, sustainable energy systems, advanced telecom connectivity, subsea cable infrastructure, smart
cooling solutions and coordinated policy support across sectors. He said the country’s growing
compatibility between policy support and private sector participation has created an environment where
India can emerge as one of the world’s most dependable digital infrastructure destinations.*****
NKR/AK
(Release ID: 2264115) Visitor Counter : 497
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Marathi , Gujarati , Tamil , Telugu , Kannada