Rajasthan has received investment proposals worth over ₹43,000 crore in the data centre sector, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma announced on Wednesday, 1 July, positioning the state as India's next major hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure. The announcement came during a round-table discussion held on the sidelines of the 29th National Conference on e-Governance at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC) in Jaipur.

Key Investment Proposals

STT GDC has already established an AI-ready data centre in Jaipur, while companies including HG Akaya, Nayo Bolt, and Ztudium have submitted investment proposals in the state. Together, these commitments and proposals cross the ₹43,000 crore mark, reflecting, according to Sharma, growing industry confidence in Rajasthan's digital infrastructure.

The Chief Minister said the government will back investors with adequate land and power availability, a single-window clearance system, and industry-friendly policies. Rajasthan is also developing dedicated frameworks for emerging sectors including AI, data centres, Global Capability Centres (GCCs), drones, and geospatial technology.

The Digital Ecosystem Rajasthan Is Building

Sharma highlighted the state's existing digital strengths: more than 100 universities and nearly 4,000 colleges producing over 2.5 lakh graduates annually. The government's iStart initiative has so far nurtured more than 8,700 startups, attracting investments exceeding ₹1,000 crore and generating over 48,000 direct jobs.

A proposed AI Centre of Excellence is intended to deepen collaboration between industry, startups, academia, and government. The Chief Minister also noted that Rajasthan's abundant green energy, competitive operating costs, and transparent governance give it a structural edge over rival investment destinations.

Governance and Policy Reforms

Sharma said e-governance has materially improved transparency in citizen-centric services, enabling faster delivery, lower costs, better record management, and evidence-based policymaking. The state has also removed key barriers in public procurement — including mandatory prior experience and minimum turnover requirements — to make it easier for new enterprises to participate in government contracts.

He framed these reforms within the broader vision of 'Viksit Bharat–Viksit Rajasthan 2047', the development roadmap championed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Who Was in the Room

The round-table was attended by Information Technology and Communication Minister Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel, Chief Secretary V. Srinivas, IT and Communication Secretary Ravi Kumar Surpur, senior officials from the Industries and Commerce Department, and representatives from leading technology companies. Industry leaders and experts shared inputs on AI, data centres, cloud computing, quantum computing, semiconductors, and the startup ecosystem.

Sharma invited entrepreneurs to view Rajasthan not merely as an investment destination but as a long-term partner in research, innovation, employment generation, and next-generation technology development. With the policy framework taking shape and anchor investments already in place, the state's ambition to move beyond its tourism and heritage identity into India's digital mainstream is now backed by tangible capital commitments.