Bhubaneswar: Odisha on Friday took a major step towards expanding its technology and digital infrastructure with the signing of two key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with global IT major HCLTech and homegrown artificial intelligence firm Sarvam AI. The agreements, signed at Lok Seva Bhavan in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, are expected to attract investments of around ₹15,000 crore over the next five years and generate thousands of employment opportunities.
Describing the agreements as the beginning of a “new revolution” in Odisha’s industrial and technology landscape, Majhi said the partnerships would accelerate technology-led economic growth while creating high-value employment for the state’s skilled workforce.
As part of the collaboration, HCLTech will establish a Global Delivery Centre in Odisha with an investment of around ₹730 crore. The facility is expected to create more than 6,000 direct jobs and strengthen the state’s information technology ecosystem.
The agreements also provide for the establishment of an AI-Optimized Data Centre through a joint collaboration between HCLTech and Sarvam AI. The Odisha government will develop a Sovereign AI Park to house the data centre, aiming to strengthen indigenous artificial intelligence capabilities and digital infrastructure in the state.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, the Chief Minister said the projects aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India vision and reflected Odisha’s growing role in emerging technology sectors. He said the state was moving beyond its traditional mineral-based economy by promoting industries such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, information technology, pharmaceuticals and textiles.
Majhi said Sarvam AI had developed AI platforms and applications in Odia as well as other major Indian languages. With the proposed AI Park and Data Centre, AI services in Odia and multiple Indian languages would be delivered from Odisha, benefiting sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education and defence.
The Chief Minister also highlighted Odisha’s industrial growth, stating that the state had received investment proposals worth over ₹20 lakh crore in the past two years, approved projects valued at more than ₹10 lakh crore and grounded investments exceeding ₹3 lakh crore. He said Odisha had secured a place among the top five states in NITI Aayog’s Investment Friendliness Index 2026 and aimed to enter the top three.
He added that reforms including the state’s industrial policy, single-window clearance mechanism and land bank system had significantly reduced the time between signing investment agreements and project execution. Assuring investors of continued government support, Majhi invited industries to invest in Odisha, saying the state was fully prepared to host large-scale projects.
Electronics and Information Technology Minister Mukesh Mahaling described the agreements as a milestone for Odisha’s digital economy, saying they would further enhance the state’s position in the electronics and IT sectors. He also noted Odisha’s growing prominence in the semiconductor industry and its strong performance in attracting investments.
HCL Chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra said the company was committed to expanding its presence in Odisha and appreciated the support extended by the state government. She said Odisha’s recent AI Summit had demonstrated the state’s readiness to emerge as a leading destination for artificial intelligence and announced the company’s plans to establish a dedicated AI Park in the state.
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Vishal Kumar Deb, HCLTech Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director C. Vijayakumar, Sarvam AI Chief Executive Officer Pratyush Kumar, along with representatives from industry, academia and senior state government officials.
