Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology addresses steps to promote IT sector growth in smaller Tamil Nadu cities via Software Technology Parks of India (STPI). Currently, there are five STPI centers in Tamil Nadu, alongside the iTamil Nadu Technology (iTNT) Hub in Chennai, to support startups through incubation, funding, and mentorship. New STPI center establishments require land or built-up area contributions from State Government, Centers of Excellence, or Higher Educational Institutions, along with a feasibility study.
Key Points / Main Content:
STPI and IT Sector Promotion:
* The government is expanding the IT ecosystem by establishing STPIs, with a focus on Tier II and III cities.
* There are 67 STPI centers established across India, including 59 in Tier II and III cities.
STPI Centers in Tamil Nadu:
* STPI centers are currently located in Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, and Tirunelveli.
iTamil Nadu Technology (iTNT) Hub:
* iTNT Hub in Chennai supports startups across Tamil Nadu with mentorship, technical guidance, funding, and industry networks.
* iTNT Hub has incubated 76 startups, launched 18 products, and accelerated 50 startups through programs.
Incubation and Support in Chennai:
* STPI Chennai has infrastructure of 44,794 sq. ft. raw incubation space and 201 plug-n-play seats.
* FinBlue CoE at Chennai supports FinTech startups with funding, infrastructure, mentoring, and market access.
* 146 startups have been incubated and supported in Chennai in the last five years, with 85 at STPI Chennai and 61 at FinBlue CoE.
New STPI Center Establishment Policy:
* New STPI centers require State Government, Centers of Excellence, or Higher Educational Institutions to provide either a minimum of 2 acres of developed land or 50,000 sq. ft. of built-up area on long-term lease, free of cost.
* A feasibility study is required by STPI jointly with the State Government, Centers of Excellence, or Higher Educational Institutions to assess the location's potential.
* If land is provided, STPI will construct a minimum of 20,000 sq. ft. built-up space.
* Until the STPI building is complete, the State Government, Centers of Excellence, or Higher Educational Institutions must provide a minimum of 10,000 sq. ft. of built-up space free of cost to STPI.
Impact Analysis:
State Government, Centers of Excellence, Higher Educational Institutions:
* Impact: They are key partners in establishing new STPI centers.
* Action Required: Provide land or built-up area and participate in a feasibility study. Additionally, they may need to provide temporary built-up space.
Startups in Tamil Nadu:
* Impact: Increased access to incubation, funding, mentorship, and infrastructure through STPI centers and the iTNT Hub.
* Action Required: Utilize available resources and facilities at STPI centers and the iTNT Hub to develop and scale their businesses.
STPI:
* Impact: Responsible for establishing and operating STPI centers and providing infrastructure support.
* Action Required: Conduct feasibility studies for new locations and construct or facilitate the construction of STPI buildings.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology: The Indian government ministry responsible for IT and electronics policy.
Software Technology Parks of India: An organization that establishes and manages IT parks in India, especially in tier II and tier III cities.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India which is the subject of the policy document.
Chennai: A city in Tamil Nadu, India, where STPI has infrastructure and the iTNT Hub is located.
iTamil Nadu Technology iTNT Hub: A state-level deep-tech innovation hub in Chennai, Tamil Nadu focused on emerging technologies.
FinBlue CoE: A Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) at Chennai, Tamil Nadu to build an ecosystem for RD and product innovation in FinTech.
Ramanathapuram district: A district in Tamil Nadu, India mentioned in the question regarding IT sector growth.
SHRI JITIN PRASADA: Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 679
TO BE ANSWERED ON: 23.07.2025
STPI CENTRES IN TAMIL NADU
679. SHRI NAVASKANI K:
Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:
(a) Whether Government has taken any steps to promote the growth of the IT sector in smaller
cities and towns of Tamil Nadu including Ramanathapuram district and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the number of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) established in Tamil Nadu as on
date, district wise;
(c) the details of incubator facilities and support provided to startups through these centres;
(d) the number of startups incubated and supported in Tamil Nadu under STPI scheme in the last
five years;
(e) whether new STPI centres have been proposed or are under consideration in Tier-II and Tier-
III cities of the State;
(f) the details of the criteria followed for selecting new STPI locations in Tamil Nadu;
(g) whether the Government has facilitated partnerships with venture capitalists and industry
mentors in the State through these centres; and
(h) the number of startups from Tamil Nadu that have successfully received funding or scaled
up through STPI incubation support?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) to (h): India has a strong Information Technology industry which generates annual revenues
of more than 280 billion dollars and supports employment of more than 6 million.
To further expand the IT ecosystem, Government establishes Software Technology Parks across
the country with special focus on tier II and III cities.
Government has established 67 SPTI centres including 59 in tier II and III cities.
The number of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) established in Tamil Nadu as on date,
district wise is as follows:-
Sr No. District STPI Centre
1. Chennai STPI Chennai
2. Coimbatore STPI Coimbatore
3. Tiruchirappalli STPI Trichy
4. Madurai STPI Madurai5. Tirunelveli STPI Tirunelveli
Additionally, Government of India along with the Government of Tamil Nadu has launched the
iTamil Nadu Technology (iTNT) Hub in Chennai. It is a state-level deep-tech innovation hub
focused on emerging technologies like AI, IoT, EVs, Med-tech and Cybersecurity.
It provides startups across Tamil Nadu with access to mentorship, technical guidance, funding,
virtual programs, and industry networks. At iTNT Hub, 76 startups have been incubated, 18
products have been launched and 50 startups have been accelerated through acceleration programs.
In Chennai, STPI has created state-of-the-art infrastructure of approx. 44,794 sq. ft. raw incubation
space and 201 plug-n-play incubation seats. Also, STPI has set up FinBlue, Centre of
Entrepreneurship (CoE) at Chennai to build an ecosystem for R&D and product innovation in
FinTech.
The FinBlueCoE offers an integrated programme for startups to scale through a first-of-its-kind
incubation facility by providing support in terms of funding, infrastructure, sandbox, mentoring,
IT facilitation, technology & regulatory support and market access. This facility at STPI centre in
TamilNadu has been catering to the start-ups of Tamil Nadu.
Total 146 start-ups have been incubated and supported in the last five years in Chennai. Out of
these, 85 are incubated at STPI Chennai incubation facility and 61 startups are supported under
STPI FinBlue CoE.
STPI has a policy for setting up of new centres. The “Policy for setting up of new STPI centres”
is placed at Annexure-A.
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Annexure-A
Policy for setting up of new STPI centres
For setting up of a new STPI centre, State Government/ Centres of Excellence/ Higher Educational
Institution is required to provide:
• Minimum 2 acres of developed land free of cost on long term lease or 50,000 sq. ft. built-up
area free of cost on long term lease, and
• Feasibility study would be required by STPI jointly with the State Government/ Centres of
Excellence/ Higher Educational Institution to assess the potential of the location.
• In the above line, in case, State Government/ Centres of Excellence /Higher Educational
Institution provides a minimum 2 acres of land, STPI will construct a minimum 20,000
Sq.Ft. built-up space as per the approved policy guidelines for Infrastructure development at
STPI centre and populating of incubation facilities.
• Till such time, STPI building comes up, in case State Government/ Centre of Excellence/
Higher Educational Institution are willing to operationalize STPI centre apart from above
contribution, they will have to provide minimum built-up space of 10,000 sq. ft. free of cost
to STPI.
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