On Friday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of Uttar Pradesh announced the state’s ambition to become India’s “Deep Tech Capital” under the initiative titled ‘Innovate in UP, Scale for the World’. This initiative emphasizes the development of emerging fields including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, drone technology, green hydrogen, cybersecurity, and medical technology.
During a high-level review meeting, Adityanath underscored the importance of implementing “concrete, result-driven, and time-bound actions.” He urged for enhanced collaboration between research institutions and the industry to ensure that innovations are scaled effectively and contribute to job creation.
A comprehensive presentation was delivered by Professor Manindra Agrawal, the Director of IIT Kanpur, who highlighted both ongoing and proposed projects. Officials indicated that the Gangwal School of Medical Sciences and Technology at IIT Kanpur is working on developing medical technology solutions, with a proposal already submitted to the Medical Education Department, anticipating operations to commence in November.
Additionally, the Chief Minister assessed plans for establishing a Centre of Excellence dedicated to green hydrogen, instructing officials to accelerate efforts related to its production, storage, testing, safety standards, and industrial applications. He emphasized the significance of this project for the state’s energy future.
The meeting also included discussions about launching what officials referred to as the nation’s first institutional center for internationally recognized clinical validation of Ayurveda. This proposed facility aims to establish a scientific basis for Ayurvedic medicines, enhance laboratory research, and promote the conservation and utilization of herbal resources.
Pointing out the strategic relevance of drone technology, Adityanath stated that Uttar Pradesh should position itself as a center for domestic drone manufacturing and research, especially to address defense needs. He also highlighted the necessity of advancing research in quantum technology, labeling it as a “transformative technology of the future.”
Regarding the startup ecosystem, officials mentioned that IIT Kanpur has successfully incubated several globally recognized startups, and measures are being taken to provide patent support and facilitate international scaling of these innovations. The Chief Minister called for a further enhancement of the state’s culture of innovation.
The proposed ‘UP Deep-Tech Hub’ in Noida has been identified as a key platform for unifying startups, research institutions, and industries. Adityanath instructed that world-class infrastructure be established at the hub, along with implementing a strategy of “research at IIT Kanpur, expansion and deployment from Noida.”
Furthermore, Adityanath reviewed the progress of cybersecurity initiatives, including developments at the Cyber Security Technology Translation Research Park, focused on bolstering the state’s digital infrastructure.
The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure timely execution of all proposed projects through better inter-departmental coordination and expedited decision-making, asserting that Uttar Pradesh should aim to be a leading state in deep-tech innovation.
