Odisha Cabinet Approves IT Policy 2025 to Position the State as a Leading Hub for Technology and Innovation
Bhubaneswar, Aug 25 (UNI) – The Odisha Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has approved the Odisha IT Policy 2025, aiming to establish the state as a premier hub for global business operations in information technology (IT), finance, and research and development (R&D).
After the Cabinet meeting, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja briefed the media, stating that the forward-looking policy is designed to accelerate Odisha’s digital transformation and foster technological innovation. By embracing cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and data analytics, the policy aims to strengthen governance, enhance public service delivery, and promote a digitally inclusive society.
According to Ahuja, the new IT policy reflects the state’s commitment to creating a robust digital ecosystem that supports innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. The Odisha IT Policy 2025 targets the generation of both direct and indirect employment opportunities for 1 million individuals in the IT and ITeS sectors during its implementation.
Key focus areas of the policy include:
– Fostering technological innovation through research and development.
– Integrating AI across multiple sectors.
– Promoting collaboration with academia and startups.
– Developing world-class infrastructure, including IT parks, IT towers, and special economic zones (SEZs).
The policy also emphasises emerging technologies such as cybersecurity, data analytics, 5G/mobile technology, the Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR), deep learning, blockchain, and machine learning.
To attract investments, the policy provides a wide range of business-friendly incentives, including:
– Capital and interest subsidies.
– Land and rental support.
– SGST reimbursement.
– Utility charge exemptions.
– Marketing support.
– Incentives for patent registration.
– Financial assistance for skill development, internships, and Centers of Excellence (CoEs).
– Support for developing a Cable Landing Station.
– Specific incentives for large and mega IT investments.
– Development of co-working spaces and recruitment assistance.
A single-window clearance system and partnerships with global companies will also be incorporated to enhance the ease of doing business within the state.
To ensure effective implementation, a Policy Advocacy and Vision Group (PAVG), comprising experts from academia, industry, and research, will function as a think tank to guide execution. The Odisha Computer Applications Centre (OCAC) will serve as the nodal agency, while the Electronics and IT Department will conduct periodic reviews and necessary mid-course corrections.
The Chief Secretary noted that the Odisha IT Policy 2025 is expected to attract global businesses, boost economic growth, create large-scale employment, foster technological innovation, and establish Odisha as a premier hub for IT, finance, and R&D operations.
