In a transformative shift from a “mines-driven” to a “mind-driven” economy, the Government of Odisha has signed a landmark $2.3 billion (₹20,000 crore) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sarvam AI. The deal, formalized on February 6, 2026, in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, aims to establish India’s first Full-stack Sovereign AI Park in the state.
The initiative positions Odisha as a “net exporter of compute,” allowing the state to anchor a nationwide compute grid while building population-scale AI applications tailored for the Odia language and culture.
A Powerhouse of Compute: 25,000 GPUs
The centerpiece of this deal is a high-performance 50 MW AI-optimized facility. Unlike traditional data centers, this “Sovereign AI Capacity Hub” is designed specifically for training and deploying massive AI models locally.
| Feature | Specification |
| Total Investment | $2.3 Billion (₹20,000 Crore) |
| Compute Capacity | ~25,000 GPUs |
| Power Infrastructure | 50 MW AI-Optimized Data Center |
| Employment Impact | 5,000+ high-skilled direct and indirect jobs |
| Primary Language | Odia-first (supporting 22 Indian languages) |
Strategic Vision: The “Odia First” Ecosystem
The partnership is built on the philosophy of Sovereign AI, ensuring that India’s data and the intelligence derived from it remain within national borders. The Sovereignty AI Park will integrate:
- Public Utility AI: Systems to enhance safety and regulatory compliance in Odisha’s massive mining and heavy industrial sectors.
- Last-Mile Governance: Voice-enabled AI tools allowing citizens in rural and tribal areas to access government schemes and grievance redressal through simple conversational interfaces in Odia.
- Youth Skilling: Odia-to-English voice tools to boost the employability of local youth in the global tech market.
Shifting the Economic Landscape
This deal is a cornerstone of Odisha’s Vision 2036 and Vision 2047. By leveraging its status as a power-surplus state, Odisha is converting its energy advantage into digital intelligence.
“This is not just a data centre; it is a strategic move to position Odisha as India’s leading AI capacity provider. We are capitalising on technological changes to move from a resource-led economy to one anchored in technology and skills.” — Vishal Kumar Dev, Additional Chief Secretary (Energy & IT), Odisha.
National Implications
While the hub is physically located in Odisha, it is intended to serve as the “Compute Backbone” for India. Sarvam AI, which recently launched its Saaras V3 and Bulbul V3 models, will use the facility to provide production-grade AI capacity to other Indian states and national digital platforms. This initiative aligns with the ₹10,300-crore IndiaAI Mission to build indigenous foundational models and secure digital autonomy.
