Mumbai,
29 Apr (HS): On the lines of India AI Mission, the Maharashtra Government has
announced its AI Policy 2026 on Wednesday. The policy was cleared by the
Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The policy aims to promote the widespread use
of artificial intelligence (AI) in industry, administration, and public
services in the state. The policy will promote research, innovation, and
accountable governance. Seventy percent of the jobs are going to change due to
artificial intelligence in the coming days. Fadnavis suggested to make changes
in this policy from time to time. The policy aims to attract investments of
over ₹10,000 crore and create over 1.5 lakh jobs by 2031.
Maharashtra aims to make its mark as the
'National Centre for Ethical and Inclusive Artificial Intelligence
Development'. It also includes a plan to provide artificial intelligence skills
training to two lakh youth and professionals in the state. The spirit of the
policy is for Maharashtra to be recognised as a reference state for the India
AI Mission in the development of ethical AI.
A seven-pillar strategy
The policy is built on seven pillars. The
first and most important pillar is the development of a state-wide AI
infrastructure. It is planned to provide at least two thousand GPUs (Graphics
Processing Unit) of computing capacity and set up a system that can be used by
government departments under the concept of 'Compute as a Service'. AI cities
are also to be developed in five innovation zones.
The second important pillar is the use of
spatial data. This part will be characterised by the creation of datasets of
regional dialects and tribal languages, including Marathi, and the
establishment of a 'State AI Data Exchange'. The state's system will be linked
to the central government's AI Kosh platform. The third pillar plans to set up
a 'Maharashtra Advanced Artificial Intelligence Training Centre' (MCAT). The
Centre will function through a dual partnership between industry and academia.
Substantial provision for start-ups and
small-scale industries
There is a special provision in the policy to
bring small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) into the AI sector. Twenty per cent
subsidy on AI implementation cost will be provided to 5,000 MSMEs and a central
platform 'Maha AI Tools Hub' will be set up. To strengthen the startup
ecosystem, a dedicated 'AI Startup Venture Fund' of ₹500 crore will be set up,
with an expected contribution of ₹2,500 crore from the government and ₹2,500
crore from industry. The policy also aims to support the creation of at least
one AI unicorn in the state.
Twelve AI incubators will be set up across
the state in the fifth pillar. Each startup will receive a grant of up to ₹1
crore, with up to ₹1.25 crore and twenty-five per cent additional financial
support for women-led startups. Under the sixth pillar, Centres of Excellence
(CoEs) will be set up in six sectors - health, agriculture, education, urban
development, Marathi language and culture, and finance and revenue. The seventh
and final pillar will create a permanent framework for ethical AI use and
mandate annual AI readiness audits in every government department.
Discounts for investors
Substantial
economic concessions have been announced in the policy to attract industries.
These include a maximum of twenty per cent capital subsidy on fixed capital
investment, 100 per cent stamp duty waiver, electricity tariff subsidy of Rs 2
per unit for ten years, cost reimbursement up to Rs 8 lakh for domestic patents
and Rs 10 lakh for international patents, and certification cost reimbursement
up to Rs 25 lakh. Twenty-five lakh rent refunds will also be given to
industries participating in international exhibitions. This will mark
Maharashtra's ambitious foray into the world of AI.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar
