✎ Karnataka’s 2026-31 policy aims to make the state a global leader in sustainable data centres with 1GW IT load and 10-12% AI capacity.
Relevance for Banking, SSC & RBI Grade B exams: Polity & Governance
The Karnataka Cabinet recently approved the Sustainable Data Centre Policy 2026–2031, a five-year framework designed to position the state as a global leader in next-generation digital infrastructure. The policy aims to achieve a cumulative IT load of 1 GW and contribute 10–12% of India’s AI-ready data centre capacity by 2031. Key provisions include investment facilitation across the data centre ecosystem, such as parks, edge centres, and cable landing stations, along with a strong emphasis on sustainability through renewable energy adoption, advanced cooling technologies, water management, and monitoring of Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE). The policy allocates a revised budget of Rs 1,300.45 crore for implementation and introduces Sustainable Data Centre Zones/Parks and a Centre of Excellence for research and innovation. The Department of Electronics, IT, Biotechnology, and Science & Technology will oversee the policy, with Karnataka Udyoga Mitra serving as the single-window clearance agency for proposals.
For aspirants preparing for Bank PO, IBPS, SBI, RBI Grade B, and SSC exams, this policy holds significant relevance as it reflects the intersection of governance, technology, and economic development. The focus on sustainable digital infrastructure aligns with India’s broader push for digital transformation and self-reliance, themes often tested in competitive exams. Questions on government policies, their objectives, and implementation mechanisms are common in these examinations, making this a pertinent topic for current affairs preparation. Additionally, the policy’s emphasis on renewable energy and efficiency metrics like PUE and WUE underscores the importance of sustainable practices in India’s tech-driven growth, a topic that may appear in descriptive or analytical sections of these exams.
Source: The Indian Express
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