MeitY approves Haryana AI Centres of Excellence in Panchkula and Gurugram under 40:40:20 funding

The Union ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) formally approved the Haryana government's proposal to set up two Artificial Intelligence Centres of Excellence at Panchkula and Gurugram under a 40:40:20 funding mechanism. The project cost is ₹40 crore with ₹16 crore from the central government (40%), ₹16 crore from the Haryana government (40%), and ₹8 crore from industry partners such as NASSCOM and STPI (20%), which have submitted commitment letters. The special purpose vehicle formed under the Haryana AI Development Project is named ARJUN (AI for resilient jobs, urban air quality & next-gen skills council). Gurugram Centre of Excellence will focus on healthcare, agriculture, public service delivery, education, environment and sustainability; Panchkula Centre of Excellence will focus on financial inclusion, governance and citizen services, flood and disaster management, plus healthcare, agriculture and education. The government plans to start AI skill development programmes this year. Officials noted that the PAB sub-group had earlier reviewed Haryana's proposals and advised expedited finalisation of the Panchkula Centre to ensure timely operationalisation.

The second meeting of the sub-group of project approval board (PAB) for AI-Centre of Excellence was held on April 17 to examine and review Haryana’s proposals for establishing AI-Centres of Excellence. The review encompassed 12 proposals from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Goa and Sikkim, along with identified industry partners, location and strategic focus areas. The PAB conveyed that Haryana’s proposals are in accordance with the concept note and guidelines and should be further taken up. Haryana was asked to expedite finalisation of the Panchkula Centre of Excellence building to ensure timely operationalisation.