India among the world’s highest per capita data consumption
Calling upon India’s technology sector to reset its ambitions towards a trillion-dollar opportunity by 2035, Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said the industry stakeholders must embrace reimagination to stay ahead in an era defined by artificial intelligence, data centres and clean energy.
Launching the NITI Frontier Tech Hub’s roadmap report titled “Reimagination Ahead” in New Delhi on 12 Feb, the Minister said, “India should target at least 10 GW of data centre capacity by 2030 and position itself as a global hub for AI-driven technology services.”
He emphasized that the future lies in applied AI, reskilling at scale, domestic value creation and retaining talent within the country.
Goyal highlighted that India’s nearly one billion internet users, among the world’s highest per capita data consumption, and rapid AI adoption provide a strong foundation for expansion. Affordable data, 5G rollout and upcoming 6G capabilities have strengthened India’s digital ecosystem, enabling the growth of a US$250–US$300 billion technology services industry.
He underlined that robust infrastructure reforms have powered this rise. Recalling the New Telecom Policy of 1999 under Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he noted that affordable connectivity laid the groundwork for digital transformation.
He also cited the post-2014 strengthening of India’s unified national power grid, which now has 500 GW installed capacity, including 250 GW of clean energy.
Renewable energy capacity has expanded rapidly, supported by transparent reverse bidding that brought solar tariffs down to nearly Rs.2.31–Rs.2.41 per unit and wind tariffs to around Rs.2.5 per unit. India now provides 24-hour clean energy at under Rs.6 per kilowatt hour and aims to achieve 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030.
The Minister said recent Budget announcements offering income tax benefits up to 2047 for certain investments will further boost foreign direct investment, foreign exchange inflows and job creation, particularly in the broader ecosystem around data centres. “Clean energy integration, nuclear expansion, pumped storage, battery storage, green hydrogen and green ammonia initiatives will reinforce India’s competitiveness.”
On artificial intelligence, Goyal stressed that while AI will augment human capabilities, cybersecurity, human validation and data integrity will remain critical. He called for widespread AI education among business leaders, policymakers and decision-makers to ensure effective adoption.
Emphasizing an industry-led approach with government as facilitator, he proposed structured, ongoing engagement involving MeitY, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, DPIIT, Invest India, NITI Aayog, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Skill Development and industry bodies such as NASSCOM. He suggested dedicating one Saturday each month for structured dialogue to address emerging challenges.
He also highlighted the importance of coordinated action with states to streamline single-window clearances, land approvals, electricity access and distribution upgrades required for high-intensity AI and data centre operations.
Assuring full support, Goyal said the government stands ready to partner with industry in mission mode to ensure India emerges as a global leader in technology services and frontier technologies. fiinews.com
