TLDR: Uttar Pradesh has launched a comprehensive AI training program, “AI Pragya,” aiming to skill over 10 lakh individuals across various sectors in collaboration with global tech leaders like Google, Microsoft, and Intel. This initiative coincides with the inauguration of India’s first private AI-augmented multidisciplinary university in Unnao, marking a significant step towards establishing Uttar Pradesh as a leading AI hub.
Uttar Pradesh is making significant strides in artificial intelligence adoption and skill development with the launch of its ambitious “AI Pragya” scheme and the recent inauguration of the country’s first private AI-augmented multidisciplinary university in Unnao. These initiatives underscore the state’s commitment to integrating AI into governance, education, agriculture, and security systems, positioning Uttar Pradesh as a frontrunner in India’s tech-driven future.
Under the “AI Pragya” scheme, the state government aims to train over 10 lakh (1 million) individuals, including students, farmers, teachers, government staff, and village heads, in AI and emerging technologies by the end of 2025. The program targets an impressive 1.5 lakh beneficiaries monthly, ensuring a rapid and widespread upskilling effort. This massive training drive is being conducted in strategic partnerships with leading global technology companies, including Microsoft, Intel, Google, and Guvi, who are contributing to course material development, workshop organization, and technical resource provision.
The inauguration of the AI-augmented multidisciplinary university in Unnao, established by Chandigarh University, on July 30, 2025, by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, further solidifies Uttar Pradesh’s commitment to fostering AI talent. This institution is designed to be a pivotal addition to the state’s roadmap for AI integration across various sectors.
Beyond skill development, Uttar Pradesh is actively deploying AI in public safety, with 17 city corporations adopting AI-driven tools under the Safe City Project. These include facial recognition cameras, automatic number plate recognition systems, SOS alert infrastructure, and real-time analytics dashboards, all integrated with police control rooms for enhanced response and predictive surveillance. The state’s prison system has also introduced an AI-powered platform named Jarvis across 70 jails for monitoring inmate activity. Furthermore, the Geology and Mining Department is leveraging AI and IoT for supervising excavation sites and curbing illegal mining.
In agriculture, the ₹4,000 crore UP-AGRIS project, supported by the World Bank, is utilizing AI to benefit over 10 lakh farmers through smart irrigation systems, drone-assisted land mapping, AI-enabled pest control, and data-driven crop planning. The Revenue Department is also employing AI tools for land digitization, village mapping, and transparent property allocation.
Lucknow is also set to become India’s first AI City, with a substantial corpus of ₹10,732 crore allocated under the IndiaAI Mission, approved in March 2024. This investment, which is 67% higher than any other technology infrastructure investment in the country, is earmarked for 10,000 Graphics Processing Units, multi-modal language models, and an AI innovation center. The state government is also developing a draft AI policy in line with Vision 2047, aiming to establish a comprehensive framework for AI-powered public policy.
Also Read:
- Chandigarh University Unveils 11 New Industry-Focused Programs for 2025-26 Academic Year
- Pakistan Unveils National AI Policy 2025 to Foster Digital Transformation and Youth Empowerment
This multi-pronged approach, encompassing education, skill development, public services, and infrastructure, positions Uttar Pradesh as a significant player in India’s AI transformation, aiming to create new employment opportunities and enhance administrative structures across various sectors.
