Meghalaya Plans ₹18 Crore AI Centre as Shillong Expands Its Technology Infrastructure
Meghalaya Plans ₹18 Crore AI Centre at the Shillong Technology Park Phase II, adding an artificial intelligence-focused facility to the state’s expanding technology infrastructure.
The ₹18 crore funding for the Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence (AI CoE) has been sanctioned under the IndiaAI Mission, according to Meghalaya’s Commissioner and Secretary of Information Technology and Communications, Pravin Bakshi. The proposed centre will occupy around 10,000 square feet at the Technology Park and is expected to become operational in about two months.
The AI Centre is part of a wider technology infrastructure expansion in Shillong following the inauguration of Shillong Technology Park Phase II in September 2026.
The new phase adds 1.8 lakh square feet of ready-to-occupy technology space and was built at a cost of ₹121 crore. The Meghalaya government describes it as the largest single addition of dedicated IT space in the state so far.
Meghalaya Plans ₹18 Crore AI Centre at Shillong Technology Park
The Meghalaya AI Centre will be hosted at Shillong Technology Park Phase II and is being supported through the IndiaAI Mission of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
The centre will focus initially on three areas:
- Healthcare
- Education
- Governance
The ₹18 crore allocation was confirmed by Pravin Bakshi in comments reported on October 1, 2026. The centre is planned to cover approximately 10,000 square feet and is expected to become operational within around two months.
The Meghalaya government had earlier announced that the AI Centre of Excellence would be hosted at the technology park and supported under the IndiaAI Mission.
This makes the AI facility part of the infrastructure being developed inside the newly expanded technology park rather than a separate technology project elsewhere in Shillong.
Shillong Technology Park Phase II Adds 1.8 Lakh Square Feet
The Meghalaya Plans ₹18 Crore AI Centre is being established alongside the expansion of Shillong Technology Park.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma inaugurated Shillong Technology Park Phase II at New Shillong Township, Umsawli, on September 23, 2026.
The new phase provides 1.8 lakh square feet of ready-to-occupy technology space. The project cost ₹121 crore and represents the largest single addition of dedicated IT space in Meghalaya to date, according to the state government.
The expansion adds significantly more dedicated space for technology companies operating from Shillong.
The state government said Phase II was close to being fully booked even before its inauguration. Agreements were signed with StaffFlex LLP, Shamrock AI and Alorica during the inauguration ceremony.
The first phase of the Technology Park was already occupied by companies operating from Shillong.
AI Centre Adds a New Layer to Shillong’s Technology Infrastructure
The proposed AI Centre gives the expanded Technology Park an additional focus on artificial intelligence.
The centre is being developed under the IndiaAI Mission, a national initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
According to the Meghalaya government, the AI Centre of Excellence will be hosted at the park.
The state’s IT department has identified healthcare, education and governance as the initial areas of focus for the centre.
This means the first areas of work have already been identified, although the available announcements do not provide a detailed list of specific AI applications or projects that the centre will develop.
Healthcare, Education and Governance Are Initial Focus Areas
The Meghalaya AI Centre will initially concentrate on three sectors.
Healthcare
Healthcare is one of the areas identified by the state for the centre’s initial AI-related work.
The available announcement does not specify individual healthcare projects or applications that will be developed at the centre.
Education
Education is another initial focus area.
The centre is expected to work within the broader AI ecosystem being developed at the Technology Park, although detailed programmes and projects have not yet been announced.
Governance
Governance is the third initial focus area identified by the state.
The inclusion of governance places public-sector applications among the early areas being considered for the centre.
The three areas were identified by Pravin Bakshi while discussing the sanctioned ₹18 crore AI Centre of Excellence.
IndiaAI Mission Supports the Meghalaya AI Centre
The Meghalaya AI Centre is linked to the IndiaAI Mission, the central government’s programme for developing India’s artificial intelligence ecosystem.
The Meghalaya government’s September 23 announcement confirmed that the AI Centre of Excellence would be hosted at Shillong Technology Park and sponsored under the IndiaAI Mission of MeitY.
The later announcement by the state’s IT department secretary put the sanctioned amount at ₹18 crore.
The funding support provides the financial basis for the proposed centre while the facility itself will be located inside Shillong Technology Park Phase II.
Shillong Tech Park Nears Full Occupancy
The AI Centre is being established at a time when demand for the new technology space at Shillong Technology Park Phase II has been reported as strong.
The Meghalaya government said Phase II was close to fully booked before its inauguration.
The Shillong Technology Park expansion has brought together companies from Meghalaya and international businesses.
During the inauguration, the state announced agreements involving:
StaffFlex LLP
StaffFlex is a Shillong-based business process management company serving clients in the UK.
Shamrock AI
Shamrock AI, which already operated from Phase I, is taking additional space in Phase II.
Alorica
US-based multinational Alorica is taking two floors in the new building, representing the largest single commitment in the facility announced during the inauguration.
The presence of these companies alongside the proposed AI Centre forms part of the technology infrastructure now being developed at the site.
Meghalaya’s Technology Infrastructure Is Expanding in Shillong
The new AI Centre comes as Meghalaya continues adding dedicated technology infrastructure in Shillong.
The state government said the idea of an IT Park, Technology Park and innovation hub in Shillong was first conceived by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma in 2008.
Phase II now provides 1.8 lakh square feet of additional technology space.
The expansion is located at New Shillong Township in Umsawli, where the state is developing additional institutional and administrative infrastructure.
The Technology Park is therefore becoming a location for both established businesses and companies operating in technology and business services.
Meghalaya Is Also Preparing a New IT and ITeS Policy
The AI Centre is part of a wider technology policy discussion in Meghalaya.
The state is preparing IT and ITeS Policy 2.0, with artificial intelligence and global capability centres identified as key areas of focus, according to Pravin Bakshi.
The proposed policy is intended to make Meghalaya more attractive to technology and business-services companies.
Bakshi said the government is considering customised incentives for investors committing more than ₹100 crore, in addition to incentives available under existing policies.
The policy is still under preparation, so its final provisions and implementation details have not yet been announced.
Meghalaya Also Focuses on Technology Skills
Alongside infrastructure development, the state is working on technology-related skill development.
According to Bakshi, Meghalaya’s skill-development body is preparing training modules for local youth in connection with the semiconductor ecosystem developing in neighbouring Assam.
The training is intended to prepare local candidates for opportunities associated with the Tata Electronics semiconductor assembly and test facility at Jagiroad, Assam.
This initiative is separate from the AI Centre but forms part of the broader technology and skills development activities being discussed by the state.
What the ₹18 Crore AI Centre Will Mean for Shillong’s Technology Ecosystem
The Meghalaya AI Centre brings together three developments: central support under the IndiaAI Mission, a dedicated facility inside Shillong Technology Park Phase II, and an initial focus on healthcare, education and governance.
The centre is planned to occupy approximately 10,000 square feet, with ₹18 crore sanctioned for the initiative.
At the same time, Shillong Technology Park Phase II has added 1.8 lakh square feet of technology space at a project cost of ₹121 crore.
Together, these developments represent the technology infrastructure currently being added at the New Shillong Township site.
Meghalaya Plans ₹18 Crore AI Centre as Shillong Builds Its Technology Base
Meghalaya Plans ₹18 Crore AI Centre at Shillong Technology Park Phase II, with the facility supported under the IndiaAI Mission and initially focused on healthcare, education and governance.
The centre will occupy around 10,000 square feet and is expected to become operational in about two months, according to the state’s IT department secretary.
The development comes alongside the opening of Shillong Technology Park Phase II, which adds 1.8 lakh square feet of technology space and has attracted commitments from companies including StaffFlex, Shamrock AI and Alorica.
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