Karnataka To Emerge As Hub For Next-Gen Data Infrastructure

Updated: December 04, 2025 15:48

Image Source : News18

Karnataka is positioning itself as India’s go-to destination for next-generation data infrastructure. State IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge announced plans to build sustainable, AI-ready, and eco-friendly data centers, leveraging Bengaluru’s talent density and innovation ecosystem. The initiative aims to strengthen India’s digital foundations while reducing carbon footprint and boosting deep-tech growth.

Karnataka is set to play a pivotal role in shaping India’s digital future, with the state government unveiling ambitious plans to establish next-generation data infrastructure. Speaking at the 8th ASSOCHAM Smart Data Centres & Cloud Infrastructure Conclave 2025 in Bengaluru, IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge emphasized that Karnataka will be India’s preferred destination for advanced data centers, driven by policy foresight, sustainability, and innovation.

Key highlights from the announcement include

Karnataka will adopt and exceed industry-standard sustainability metrics for data centers.
The state is focusing on energy-secure, renewable-aligned, and water-secure infrastructure.
Advanced cooling technologies such as liquid cooling and thermal management will be deployed to reduce carbon footprint.
Bengaluru’s talent density and innovation ecosystem are central to the state’s strategy.
Over 1,700 startups, many in deep tech, have already received government funding support.
NTT’s new data center in Bengaluru was e-launched during the conclave, signaling private sector participation.
India currently produces 20 percent of the world’s data but hosts only 3 percent of global data center capacity, highlighting the need for rapid expansion.
The initiative aligns with the five forces of data center growth identified by ASSOCHAM: demand, infrastructure, policy, supply chain, and talent.

Kharge stressed that Karnataka’s vision goes beyond infrastructure, aiming to create a sustainable and innovation-driven ecosystem that supports AI, analytics, cybersecurity, and deep tech. By combining government support with private investment, the state seeks to establish itself as a cornerstone of India’s digital economy.

This push for next-gen data infrastructure reflects India’s broader ambition to become a global leader in digital services. With Karnataka at the forefront, the country is expected to bridge the gap between its massive data generation and limited hosting capacity, ensuring resilience, sustainability, and competitiveness in the global digital landscape.

Sources: Deccan Herald, ThePrint, New Indian Express

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