Raipur, January 21, 2026: Chhattisgarh cabinet today approved a proposal to establish four new Centres of Entrepreneurship in Nava Raipur with the help of the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI).
In a cabinet meeting, chaired by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, the proposal for an MoU with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) for the establishment of four new Centres of Entrepreneurship in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar was approved, official sources said today.
This Cabinet decision will prove to be a significant step towards giving Chhattisgarh a strong national identity in the fields of IT-ITeS, start-ups, innovation, research and development, and emerging technologies, they added.
Through this, officials said, that the Chhattisgarh government has taken another important step towards taking the information technology, innovation, and start-up ecosystem in the state to new heights.
Software Technology Parks of India is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India, established with the objective of promoting the IT-ITeS industry and the technical start-up ecosystem in the country. Currently, STPI has 68 operational centers across the country, most of which are located in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
STPI has established 24 domain-specific entrepreneurship centers across India, which provide support to start-ups in incubation, mentorship, funding support, technical guidance, and market access.
Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, developed by the Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Development Authority under the Government of Chhattisgarh, is India’s first greenfield smart city. Developed over an area of 237 square kilometers, this city is equipped with theme-based sectors, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and government and educational institutions.
It houses the State Secretariat Mahanadi Bhavan, Head of Department offices Indravati Bhavan, the Legislative Assembly, IIIT, Hidayatullah National Law University, the Electronics Manufacturing Cluster, and the upcoming first private AI-based Special Economic Zone of India. In this context, the establishment of a Center of Entrepreneurship with the support of STPI will develop Nava Raipur into a national technology hub.
After the approval of the Council of Ministers, STPI, in collaboration with the state government and other stakeholders, will establish a total of four new Centers of Entrepreneurship in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, including centers for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Herbal Medicine and Forest Products, Smart City, and Smart Agriculture. These four centers will support approximately 135 domain-specific start-ups over the next 3 to 5 years, providing a significant platform for local youth, entrepreneurs, and innovators.
An Electronics System Design and Development Center will also be established through STPI with the objective of strengthening the hardware and electronics sector in the state. It will provide technical assistance to 30 to 40 hardware start-ups and MSMEs annually. It will also support students, researchers, and industries in the development of prototypes for ESDM products.
Comprehensive financial provisions have been made for this ambitious project. A total of Rs. 105.30 crore has been allocated for the establishment and operation of the four Centers of Entrepreneurship, of which Rs. 51.50 crore will be from the state budget, and the remaining amount will be obtained by STPI from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and other stakeholders.
A total of Rs. 78 crore has been allocated for the establishment of the Electronics System Design and Development Center, of which Rs. 35 crore will be borne by the state budget. Two acres of land or 50,000 to 60,000 square feet of built-up space in Sector-21 of Nava Raipur Atal Nagar will be provided to STPI on a free lease basis.
Until the construction of the new IT-ITeS tower, 25,000 square feet of space in Tower-C, CBD, Sector-21 will be temporarily provided free of charge. STPI will obtain the necessary approvals and commence work for the establishment of the Center of Entrepreneurship and the Electronics System Design and Development Center within 12 months from the date of signing the MoU.
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai said that this decision will create new opportunities for IT investment and employment in the state. Local youth will get a platform for startups and innovation. Chhattisgarh will move rapidly towards the goal of a self-reliant India. This initiative is a significant step towards transforming the state into a digital, innovation, and entrepreneurship-based economy.