Chhattisgarh to Build a Distinct Identity in Knowledge, Technology and Innovation: Chief Minister Sai

Raipur, February 2026: Chhattisgarh, a state rich in natural resources, aims to establish a strong and distinctive identity in the fields of knowledge, technology and innovation as well, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said on Tuesday. He stated that the state government is steadily moving forward to position Chhattisgarh as a leading hub for technology-driven growth, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Chief Minister was addressing a programme held at his official residence following the signing of a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Electronics and Information Technology Department, Government of Chhattisgarh, and the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI). The agreement was signed in the presence of the Chief Minister and marks a major step towards strengthening the state’s digital and innovation ecosystem.

Chief Minister Sai said that due to modern infrastructure, an effective e-governance framework and investor-friendly policies, Chhattisgarh is rapidly emerging as a reliable and attractive destination for IT, IT-enabled services (ITES) and emerging technology-based industries. He emphasized that the initiative is aimed at nurturing entrepreneurship among youth and providing world-class opportunities in IT and ITES within the state itself.

Under the MoU, a Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) and an Electronics System Design and Development (ESDD) Centre will be established in the state. The proposed Centre of Entrepreneurship will promote innovation and startups in four key sectors—Artificial Intelligence, forest- and medicinal-product-based MedTech, smart city solutions, and smart agriculture. In addition, a state-of-the-art ESDD Centre will be set up to support around 30 to 40 hardware startups and MSMEs annually by offering facilities for product design, prototyping, skill development and capacity building.

The Chief Minister noted that this initiative will enable young people in the state to access incubation, mentorship, funding support and advanced laboratories locally. This, he said, would help curb the migration of skilled youth to metropolitan cities and generate employment and entrepreneurship opportunities within Chhattisgarh. Highlighting the importance of collaboration with STPI, he said the organisation’s extensive experience—through 68 centres and 24 sector-specific Centres of Entrepreneurship across the country—will significantly strengthen the state’s startup and innovation ecosystem.

Expressing confidence, Chief Minister Sai said the MoU would prove to be a milestone in the state’s economic development and help Chhattisgarh gain a new identity on the national map in the areas of digital innovation, technological entrepreneurship and startups.

Senior officials, including the Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Subodh Kumar Singh, Electronics and IT Department Secretary Ankit Anand, STPI Director Ravi Verma and CHiPS CEO Prabhat Malik, were present on the occasion.