India’s Next-Scale Destination for Digital Services, GCCs and Data Centres
Invest UP
AGM - Udyami Mitra
(+91) 7905224361
agmudyamimitra@investup.org.in
India’s digital economy is scaling rapidly and is now a major growth engine for the broader technology and services ecosystem. A MeitY-backed study estimates India’s digital economy at ₹31.64 lakh crore (about US$402 billion), or 11.74% of national income, in 2022-23, with the digital economy expected to approach one-fifth of GDP by 2030.
This expansion is creating sustained opportunities across software services, cloud, digital platforms, AI, enterprise technology, cybersecurity and digital business services.
India’s external demand environment remains supportive for the IT & ITeS sector. In FY2024-25, India’s total exports reached US$820.93 billion, while services exports rose to US$383.51 billion, up 12.45% year-on-year.
RBI’s annual survey further estimates India’s software services exports at US$204.7 billion in 2024-25, with computer services accounting for over two-thirds of total software services exports and ITES/BPO remaining the largest ITES component.
Uttar Pradesh is one of India’s largest state economies, with a GSDP estimated at ₹24.99 trillion (US$300.01 billion) in 2024-25, and remains India’s largest consumer market among states with a population of over 200 million.
The state is positioning IT, ITeS, GCCs and data centres as strategic growth sectors within its broader economic and industrial development agenda.
Uttar Pradesh’s IT and digital-services ecosystem is supported by the presence of established industry players, proximity to Delhi NCR, a growing startup and innovation environment, and an expanding policy architecture for IT/ITeS, GCCs and data centres.
The state’s proposition is further strengthened by major academic institutions and a large annual talent pipeline across engineering, management and digital disciplines.
The Department of IT & Electronics offered business friendly ecosystem and competitive policy benefits through the UP IT, ITeS Policy 2022.
Uttar Pradesh has expanded its digital-sector policy stack beyond core IT/ITeS to include a dedicated GCC policy and a dedicated data-centre policy, reflecting a more mature and diversified technology-investment proposition.
Artificial Intelligence stands out as a key growth driver within the IT & ITeS sector. AI is not just a technology but a catalyst for economic prosperity. Uttar Pradesh acknowledges the pivotal role of AI in shaping the technological landscape within the state. Aligned with the vision of the Government of India, the Government of Uttar Pradesh aims to strengthen the AI innovation ecosystem within the state. Uttar Pradesh plans to build the country’s first AI city in Lucknow to house and promote the AI ecosystem. The AI City is envisioned to nurture and promote the AI ecosystem within the state and to develop the city as a new technology hub.
Online Incentives Management System (OIMS) has been created and integrated with the Nivesh Sarathi portal for project application approval and issuing of Letter of Comfort (LoC) under the UP IT and ITeS Policy 2022
Booming IT/ITeS sector with INR 72,000 Crores of exports from STPIs and SEZs
The state’s IT department highlights the expansion of STPI-linked and IT-park infrastructure across locations such as Noida, Meerut, Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj and Agra, while continuing to support the growth of IT infrastructure in additional tier-II and tier-III cities.
3rd highest of NIRF ranked engineering colleges in the country, producing high quality IT Talent
4 upcoming STPI IT parks being developed in Varanasi, Bareilly, Panki (Kanpur) and Gorakhpur
Upcoming AI City in Lucknow to accelerate the state’s leadership in cutting edge technologies and advanced computing.
Uttar Pradesh has expanded its digital-sector policy stack beyond core IT/ITeS to include a dedicated GCC policy and a dedicated data-centre policy, reflecting a more mature and diversified technology-investment proposition.
Official state policy statistics show that Uttar Pradesh’s proposed data-centre capacity reached 644 MW with proposed investment of ₹21,342.90 crore as of June 2025, indicating strong traction beyond the original policy baseline.
The state has also institutionalized policy implementation and investor support through digital application and incentive-management systems integrated into its broader investment facilitation architecture.
| Sr. No. | Department Name | Service Name | Timeline(Days) | Category | Criteria | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Board of Revenue Website Link |
Change of Land Use | 45 |  Pre-Establishment |
In case applicant wants to change agriculture land to non-agriculture land | |
 |
Department of Labor Website Link |
Registration under UP Shops and Establishment Act 1962 | 1 | Pre-Establishment |
Every establishment in which 1 or more workmen are employed | |
| Registration of principal employer's establishment under provision of The ContractsLabor (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 | 30 |  Pre-Operation |
Every establishment in which 50 or more workmen are employed | |||
| Registration of establishment under the Inter State Migrant Workmen (RE/CS) Act, 1979 | 30 | Pre-Operation |
Every establishment in which 5 or more inter-state migrant workmen are employed. | |||
| Registration under The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation ofEmployment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 | 30 | Pre-Operation |
Govt - Unit any numberandPvt unit 10 and more employee and Investment 10 Lac and above any number of employees | |||
 |
Department of Stamp and Registration Website Link |
Property Registration | 1 | Pre-Establishment |
Applicant wants to register property | |
 |
Pollution Control Board Website Link |
Consent to Establish Under Air and Water Act (NOC) | 120 | Pre-Establishment |
IT unit having discharge more than 10 KLD | |
| Consolidated Form for Consent under Water Act 1974 Air Act 1981 and authorizationunder the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules 2016 | 120 | Pre-Operation |
IT unit having discharge mor than 10 KLD | |||
 |
Uttar Pradesh Fire Services Website Link |
NOC from Fire Department (prior to commencement of construction activities) orProvisional | 15 | Pre-Establishment |
Mandatory | |
 |
Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited Website Link |
Power Connection | 30 | Pre-Operation |
In case applicant require power connection | |
 |
Forest and Wildlife Department Website Link |
NOC for Tree Felling | 15 | Pre-Establishment |
In case applicant wants to cut tree | |
|
Registrar Firms Societies and Chits Website Link |
Registration of Partnership firms, Society | 30 | Pre-Establishment |
In case applicant wants to register Partnership Firm or Society | |
 |
Public Works Department Website Link |
Road Cutting Permissions | 7 | Pre-Operation |
In case applicant wants cut road | |
|
Directorate of Electrical Safety Website Link |
Initial Inspection of High / Extra High Voltage Installation | 4 |  Additional Service |
Applicant requires power connection | |
 |
|
Building Plan Approval | 15 | Pre-Establishment |
In case applicant wants to construct building | |
|
Urban Department Website Link |
Water Connection of Industrial Water | Pre-Operation |
In case applicant wants a water connection | ||
