Uttar Pradesh marked a significant step in India’s digital transformation journey as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday inaugurated the country’s first private Artificial Intelligence (AI)-augmented multidisciplinary university in Unnao. The initiative, led by Chandigarh University, is positioned to play a major role in the state’s broader push to build an AI-powered workforce and integrate technology into core sectors such as governance, education, agriculture, and public safety.
According to an official statement, the university has been established with a vision to support advanced technical skill development in the state and beyond. Under the AI Pragya scheme, the Uttar Pradesh government has set an ambitious target to train 10 lakh individuals in emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, data analytics, and cybersecurity.
The programme will cover a diverse group of beneficiaries including students, teachers, village leaders, government employees, and farmers. Training sessions will be conducted in collaboration with global technology giants such as Microsoft, Intel, Google, and Guvi, with a monthly target of 1.5 lakh people.
A state-wide vision for AI transformation
During the launch, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasised that AI is no longer a futuristic concept, but a present-day driver of governance and development. “Uttar Pradesh is committed to harnessing AI to enhance public service delivery, education outcomes, agricultural productivity and citizen safety,” he said, as quoted in the state’s official release.
The newly launched university in Unnao is expected to become a central node in this vision. By embedding AI into core curricula and enabling interdisciplinary learning, the institution will play a key role in generating industry-ready talent for the state and the nation.
Uttar Pradesh has already begun deploying artificial intelligence in urban surveillance and emergency response. Through the Safe City Project, 17 city corporations now operate AI-powered systems such as facial recognition-enabled CCTV cameras, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), SOS alert infrastructure, and real-time data dashboards linked to the 112 emergency helpline.
These systems are integrated directly with police control rooms, enabling quicker response times and proactive safety monitoring. The state plans to scale these systems to cover more urban and semi-urban regions.
Agriculture and land reform powered by AI
In rural areas, the Rs 4,000 crore UP-AGRIS project, backed by the World Bank, is using AI to transform agricultural practices for over 10 lakh farmers. This includes smart irrigation, drone-based land mapping, automated pest detection, and AI-guided crop management systems.
The project has also onboarded 10,000 women’s groups and several farmer-producer organisations (FPOs), connecting them with digital marketplaces and creating new economic pathways through technology.
Further, the Revenue Department has begun using satellite imaging and AI tools to manage land records, conduct digital village mapping, and support more transparent land distribution mechanisms.
AI in correctional and mining systems
The state is also deploying AI for security and operational efficiency in other critical areas. A system known as Jarvis, inspired by fictional AI assistants, has been installed in 70 jails across UP. It monitors prisoner activity through real-time video feeds and behavioural analytics, aiming to reduce incidents and improve security.
In the Geology and Mining Department, AI and Internet of Things (IoT) tools are now being used to monitor excavation activities, prevent illegal mining, and ensure environmental compliance.
A national model in the making
With these developments, Uttar Pradesh is positioning itself as a national leader in AI-led governance and skill development. The launch of the private AI university complements the state’s broader policy efforts to future-proof its workforce and digital infrastructure.
While the university currently functions under the aegis of Chandigarh University, further details about its curriculum, faculty, and admissions process are expected to be released soon. The state has indicated that the institution will focus on multidisciplinary AI applications, combining engineering, humanities, social sciences and applied technologies.
As India continues its rapid push toward becoming a global digital economy, Uttar Pradesh’s AI-first approach could serve as a blueprint for other states aiming to bridge the skills gap and improve public systems through emerging technologies.
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