Gujarat Launches Data Centre Policy 2026‑29 to Attract ₹6 Lakh Cr Investment and 7.5 GW Capacity
On 10 July 2026 Gujarat launched its first dedicated Data Centre Policy, targeting ₹6 lakh crore investment and 7.5 GW capacity with incentives such as subsidies, green‑energy mandates and desalination support. The move aims to position the state as a digital‑infrastructure hub, reflecting India's need to expand data‑centre capacity and offering UPSC relevance across economy, governance and environment topics.
Overview The Gujarat Government unveiled the Viksit Gujarat – Data Centre Policy 2026‑29 on 10 July 2026, making the state the first in India to issue a dedicated data‑centre policy. The policy aims to draw investments of about ₹6 lakh crore and to build 7.5 GW of data‑centre capacity in the next few years, positioning Gujarat alongside Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Telangana as a digital‑infrastructure hub. Key Developments Fiscal incentives: capital subsidy, interest subsidy, power‑tariff support, full reimbursement of SGST , electricity duty and stamp‑duty exemption. Non‑fiscal incentives: single‑window clearances, 20 % capital support for captive desalination plants, and guaranteed uninterrupted power and water supply. Green‑energy mandate: at least 51 % of power must come from renewable energy sources. Classification as an Essential Service under the Gujarat Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1972. Targeted sectors: AI, cloud computing, digital payments, e‑commerce, electronics manufacturing and other data‑intensive industries. Important Facts India generates nearly 20 % of the world’s data but hosts only about 3 % of global data‑centre capacity, while the United States and China together hold roughly 70 % . Gujarat’s strong renewable‑energy base (solar and wind) and its industrial corridors such as Dholera and GIFT City provide a competitive edge, especially because electricity is a major operating cost for data centres. Cooling is a critical requirement. Large 100 MW) that supports cloud providers and AI workloads; involves long‑term, high‑capital investment (GS3: Economy)">hyperscale centres generate massive heat, and water‑based cooling towers are commonly used. Gujarat, despite water stress, plans to supply round‑the‑clock water and to support desalination, leveraging its long coa
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Key Insight
Gujarat’s Data Centre Policy aims to attract ₹6 lakh cr investment and 7.5 GW capacity.
Key Facts
- नीति 10 July 2026 को ‘Viksit Gujarat – Data Centre Policy 2026‑29’ के रूप में लॉन्च की गई।
- लक्षित निवेश: लगभग ₹6 lakh crore (₹600,000 crore) 7.5 GW डेटा‑सेंटर क्षमता के लिए।
- वित्तीय प्रोत्साहनों में पूंजी और ब्याज सब्सिडी, पावर‑टैरिफ समर्थन और पूर्ण SGST, बिजली ड्यूटी और स्टाम्प‑ड्यूटी की प्रतिपूर्ति शामिल है।
- गैर‑वित्तीय प्रोत्साहन: सिंगल‑विंडो क्लियरेंस, कैप्टिव डीसैलिनेशन प्लांट्स के लिए 20 % पूंजी समर्थन, गारंटीकृत बिजली और पानी की आपूर्ति।
- कम से कम 51 % बिजली नवीकरणीय स्रोतों से होनी चाहिए; डेटा सेंटर को Gujarat Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1972 के तहत Essential Service घोषित किया गया है।
- India विश्व डेटा का ~20 % उत्पन्न करने के बावजूद केवल ~3 % वैश्विक डेटा‑सेंटर क्षमता का होस्ट है; Gujarat अपनी नवीकरणीय ऊर्जा आधार और Dholera तथा GIFT City जैसे कॉरिडोर का उपयोग करता है।
- नीति AI, क्लाउड कंप्यूटिंग, डिजिटल पेमेंट्स, ई‑कॉमर्स और इलेक्ट्रॉनिक्स मैन्युफैक्चरिंग पर केंद्रित है।
Background
India’s digital economy is expanding rapidly, but the country lags in data‑centre capacity. State governments are now competing to attract large tech investments, linking digital infrastructure with renewable‑energy goals and water‑stress solutions. Gujarat’s policy illustrates how sub‑national initiatives can complement central schemes on digital growth and climate sustainability.
UPSC Syllabus
- GS2 — Government policies and interventions for development
- GS3 — Infrastructure - Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways
- Essay — Science, Technology and Society
- Essay — Environment and Sustainability
- Essay — Economy, Development and Inequality
- Prelims_GS — Environmental Issues and Climate Change
- GS3 — IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and IPR
- GS3 — Indian Economy - Planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment
- Prelims_GS — National Current Affairs