Manipur plans an AI Centre of Excellence, cybersecurity infrastructure and 500 AI jobs while expanding digital governance, connectivity, skilling and IT employment.
Imphal, Sept. 25: Manipur is planning an Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence and new cybersecurity infrastructure while expanding digital governance, technology skilling and IT/ITeS employment opportunities across the State, the Department of Information Technology (DIT) said at the 16th edition of ‘Meet the Press’ organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) in Imphal on Friday.
Director of Information Technology G. Robert Sharma said the department is working to strengthen digital governance, connectivity, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, innovation and technology-enabled public services across all 16 districts.
The proposed AI Centre of Excellence is expected to support 24 AI start-ups, develop 30 AI prototypes or products, implement 10 AI solutions or use cases and create 500 jobs, Sharma said.
He said the department is also pursuing an AI-enabled Tier-III State Data Centre under the World Bank-supported Manipur Infotech eNabled Development (MIND) Project. The project also includes plans for a Manipur Cyber Security Operations Centre, Manipur Computer Incident Response Team and a Cyber Security Lab.
According to the department, the proposed cybersecurity infrastructure is intended to strengthen threat monitoring, incident response, training and research.
On digital governance, Sharma said eOffice Manipur currently covers 184 departments, directorates and undertakings, with 5,702 users. Around 1.49 lakh e-files have been created and 42.84 lakh e-files processed through the system.
The e-Seba Manipur Portal has received 5,06,484 applications and issued 4,39,957 certificates, while the Centralized RTI Portal had registered 235 applications as of September 24, 2026.
The department also reported progress in digital connectivity. BharatNet has been activated in 325 Gram Panchayats, accounting for more than 70 per cent of planned connections. The Amended BharatNet Programme covers 2,889 Gram Panchayats and villages across the State, while the Right of Way Portal has issued 132 permissions for telecom infrastructure.
The department is also developing Cyber Hub Manipur at Mantripukhri as a technology, innovation and employment hub. IT Building-II, sanctioned at Rs. 120 crore under PM-DevINE, has reached 78 per cent physical progress and is targeted for completion by October 31, 2026.
Another 56 fully furnished 2BHK residential units are being constructed at a cost of Rs. 49.82 crore under SASCI to support IT/ITeS professionals, Sharma said.
The operational IT Park at Mantripukhri currently hosts four organisations employing more than 121 IT professionals. A proposed Innovation Hub Manipur is also intended to provide incubation, mentorship, prototype development, training and other support to innovators, start-ups, youth and technology professionals.
On technology skilling, Sharma said 116 students have been trained under the HCLTech TechBee Programme. Of them, 57 have completed training and joined HCLTech as full-time employees while pursuing graduation through partner institutions. The State Government provides sponsorship of Rs. 50,000 per student under the programme.
The State’s wider innovation ecosystem has facilitated more than Rs. 9 crore in start-up funding, incubated more than 80 start-ups, supported over 50 legal entities, reached more than 6,000 innovators and helped commercialise more than 35 start-up products, according to the department.
Sharma said the DIT, the State’s nodal department for Information Technology policy, digital governance and communication infrastructure, is implementing these initiatives with support from the Manipur State IT Society, Cyber Corporation Manipur Limited and IIIT Society Manipur.
The Meet the Press programme concluded with an interaction between media representatives and DIT officials, who responded to questions on the department’s various initiatives.
