CM Mohan Yadav Pushes DeepTech Park for Ujjain, Eyes US Campus Ties
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on Thursday, 18 June 2026, announced that a proposal for a DeepTech Research Park in Ujjain has been sent to the central government, while also directing that Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV) be strengthened and modernised to meet rising demands in technical education.
Context
In his post, Dr. Yadav stated — 'प्रसन्नता का विषय है कि उज्जैन में डीपटेक रिसर्च पार्क की स्थापना का प्रस्ताव केंद्र सरकार को भेजा गया है' ('It is a matter of joy that a proposal for the establishment of a DeepTech Research Park in Ujjain has been sent to the central government'). He added that a new action plan will be prepared for a Centre of Excellence in Ujjain, and the DeepTech Research Park will now be integrated as part of that Centre.
The Chief Minister also directed that RGPV be made more robust, modern, and quality-driven, keeping in view the growing requirements of technical education and the future. The university, established in Bhopal in 1998, is Madhya Pradesh's primary institution for engineering and applied sciences.
Policy Backdrop
The push for a DeepTech Research Park aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, which actively encourages states to develop research parks, Centres of Excellence, and international academic collaborations. Madhya Pradesh's proposal mirrors similar moves by other Indian states seeking central government support to build innovation ecosystems beyond metropolitan centres.
Selecting Ujjain — a tier-2 city in western Madhya Pradesh — for this initiative signals a deliberate effort to decentralise high-technology research infrastructure away from state capital Bhopal and major metros. The integrated Centre of Excellence model, with the DeepTech Park as a component, is designed to consolidate research capacity under a single institutional umbrella.
Stakeholders and Impact
Students and faculty at RGPV and affiliated technical institutions across Madhya Pradesh stand to benefit directly from the proposed modernisation drive. A functional DeepTech Research Park in Ujjain could attract industry partnerships, research funding, and skilled talent to the region, with ripple effects on local employment and the broader innovation economy.
Dr. Yadav also disclosed that four American universities have expressed interest in opening study campuses in Madhya Pradesh, and that coordination with these institutions is currently under way. While the specific names of the universities have not been officially confirmed, the development points to growing international interest in the state's higher education landscape.
What's Next
The immediate milestone is the central government's decision on the Ujjain DeepTech Research Park proposal. Approval would unlock the formal process of establishing the Centre of Excellence and integrating the park into it. Simultaneously, any formal agreements or timelines announced for the four US university campuses will be closely watched as a marker of the state's global academic ambitions.
Madhya Pradesh's dual thrust — overhauling a legacy technical university while pursuing cutting-edge research infrastructure and foreign campus tie-ups — reflects a broader state strategy to position itself as a serious player in India's knowledge economy, extending innovation well beyond the national capital region.