Key Points
- Uttar Pradesh to support 50 AI startups in Lucknow over next five years
- HCL Tech launches Phase-2 of IT City with ₹500 crore investment
- State targets ₹2.5 lakh crore in IT and ITES exports within four years
The Uttar Pradesh government will support the establishment of at least 50 AI startups in Lucknow over the next five years as part of a push to position the state capital as a major hub for artificial intelligence and deep technology, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Wednesday (7 October).
Speaking at a programme marking the 10th anniversary of HCL Tech’s Lucknow campus, the Chief Minister said the government would extend full support to help these startups reach global markets. He urged HCL Tech to partner with the state government in developing Lucknow as a leading AI innovation city.
“Lucknow must evolve beyond being an IT services centre and emerge as a major hub for AI, semiconductors, cyber security, computing technology and deep tech,” Adityanath said, adding that the government and industry would work together to build the ecosystem.
At the same event, the Chief Minister launched Phase-2 of HCL IT City Lucknow. The expansion involves an investment of about ₹500 crore and will develop around 9.5 lakh square feet on 20 acres, according to the state government.
The project will include a new IT building with capacity for around 5,000 seats, multilevel parking and modern facilities, and is expected to create approximately 6,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
Uttar Pradesh IT exports growth
Adityanath highlighted the transformation in Uttar Pradesh’s technology sector over the past decade. The state’s IT and ITES (information technology enabled services, which includes business process outsourcing and back-office operations) exports have grown from around ₹12,000 to ₹15,000 crore a decade ago to over ₹1 lakh crore, he said. The government has set a target of ₹2.5 lakh crore within the next four years.
Electronics exports from the state have increased from around ₹3,800 crore to ₹45,000 crore, with a target of ₹2 lakh crore by 2030, according to the Chief Minister.
IT parks are now operational in Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Meerut and Agra, while new IT parks are being developed in Varanasi, Bareilly, Kanpur and Gorakhpur, Adityanath said.
Under the state’s new Startup Policy, Noida and Lucknow are being developed as deep-tech hubs, and work is progressing towards establishing what the government describes as India’s first AI City in Lucknow.
HCL Tech chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra, said Uttar Pradesh is the home of the HCL Group. The decision to invest in HCL IT City Lucknow reflected the company’s belief that global technology and talent can develop beyond metropolitan cities when the right opportunities and infrastructure are available, she said.
By the numbers
Key figures from this story- 50
- AI startups to be supported in Lucknow
- ₹500 crore
- HCL Tech Phase-2 investment
- ₹2.5 lakh crore
- UP IT exports target in four years
She announced an AI training programme for 1,000 students from local colleges to provide future-ready skills and career opportunities. Over the past decade, HCL Foundation’s programmes have reached more than 50 lakh people and over 3,000 villages in Uttar Pradesh, with initiatives focused on rural livelihoods, education and development, the company said.
HCL Tech, headquartered in Noida, is one of India’s largest IT services companies with operations across 60 countries. The company established its Lucknow campus in 2014 as part of its strategy to expand beyond major metropolitan centres.
Your Questions, Answered
How many AI startups will Uttar Pradesh support in Lucknow?
The Uttar Pradesh government has committed to supporting at least 50 world-class AI startups in Lucknow over the next five years, with full government backing to help them reach global markets.
What is the investment in HCL IT City Phase-2?
HCL Tech is investing approximately ₹500 crore in Phase-2 of HCL IT City Lucknow, developing around 9.5 lakh square feet on 20 acres with capacity for 5,000 seats.
How many jobs will HCL IT City Phase-2 create?
The Phase-2 expansion of HCL IT City Lucknow is expected to create approximately 6,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
What is Uttar Pradesh's IT export target?
Uttar Pradesh has set a target of ₹2.5 lakh crore in IT and ITES exports within the next four years, up from the current ₹1 lakh crore.
