Store
UPPCS GS-VI

UP Data Centre Policy-2026 replaces the 2021 policy

2 min readUP Industry & InvestmentUP IT, Startups & Data Centres
Battle IAS UP current affairs title card: UP Data Centre Policy-2026 replaces the 2021 policy (, 6 July 2026)
Battle Brief

On 6 July 2026 the UP Cabinet approved the Uttar Pradesh Data Centre Policy-2026, which aims to make UP a green, AI-ready data centre hub. It targets over 2 GW of new capacity and over ₹2 lakh crore of investment, with extra incentives for Bundelkhand and Purvanchal. It replaces the 2021 policy, which lapsed on 27 January 2026.

Fact File

Date
6 Jul 2026, UP Cabinet
Capacity target
over 2 GW
Investment target
over ₹2 lakh crore
Jobs
7,500 long-term direct; about 50,000 short-term in construction
Validity
5 years from notification
Earlier policy
2021, amended 7 Nov 2022; lapsed 27 Jan 2026
In the news

UP Data Centre Policy-2026: what happened?

Data centres store and process the data behind apps, banks and AI. They need land, power and cooling. States compete to host them with incentives.

  • The UP Cabinet approved the Uttar Pradesh Data Centre Policy-2026 [UP Cabinet, 6 Jul 2026].
  • Its aim is to make UP a green, AI-ready data centre hub, add more than 2 GW of capacity and attract over ₹2 lakh crore of investment [UP Cabinet].
  • New “boosters” cover Tier/rating, AI compute and green operations; Bundelkhand and Purvanchal get extra incentives [UP Cabinet].
  • The policy is expected to create 7,500 long-term direct jobs and about 50,000 short-term jobs during construction; it runs for 5 years from notification [UP Cabinet].
Back Story

What did the 2021 policy achieve?

  • About ₹21,343 crore of investment came in.
  • Of six data centre parks and two units below 40 MW, seven projects are operational.
Back Story

What is new in 2026?

  • Boosters for Tier/rating, AI compute, and green and sustainable operation.
  • Extra incentives for Bundelkhand and Purvanchal.
  • A nodal agency under a Policy Implementation Unit will run it.
Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on UP Data Centre Policy-2026?

  • UP Data Centre Policy-2026: target over 2 GW and over ₹2 lakh crore.
  • Valid 5 years from notification.
  • Extra incentives for Bundelkhand and Purvanchal.

Read all of July 2026 in the monthly UP current affairs compilation →

How to use this in Mains

GS-VI UP economy: digital infrastructure

  1. Quote the policy as UP's second-generation data centre policy, building on the 2021 one.
  2. Use the jobs-versus-investment gap to discuss capital-intensive growth.
  3. Link the green booster to energy and environment questions.
Quotable data point

UP Data Centre Policy-2026 targets over 2 GW of new capacity and over ₹2 lakh crore investment [UP Cabinet, 6 Jul 2026].

UP Information Dept: Cabinet decisions, 6 July 2026 (Hindi PDF)

Exam angle

UPPCS

GS-VI: UP digital infrastructure. Contrast big investment with modest long-term jobs (7,500).

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPPCS

UP Data Centre Policy-2026 aims to attract investment of over

Answer (d) & explanation

UP Cabinet, 6 Jul 2026.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

What is the capacity target of UP Data Centre Policy-2026?

Over 2 GW of additional data centre capacity.

How many jobs are expected?

7,500 long-term direct jobs and about 50,000 short-term jobs during construction.

Why was a new policy needed?

The 2021 policy, amended in 2022, lapsed on 27 January 2026.

Keep studying

Official source: UP Information Dept: Cabinet decisions, 6 July 2026 (Hindi PDF)

facts from cited sources only; numbers machine-checked against source text; faculty review pending