State PCS - Chhattisgarh (CGPSC)

• 06 May 2025

India's First AI-Based Data Park

Why in News? 

On 4 May 2025, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh inaugurated the Artificial Intelligence Aided Data Centre Park in Nava Raipur. 

 Key Points 

• About the Initiative:  
  • This first-of-its-kind initiative in India is being developed with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore, to be utilised over two years. 
  • The 13.5-acre park includes a 2.7-hectare Special Economic Zone (SEZ) dedicated exclusively to AI-based services. 
• Empowering Tribal Communities Through Technology: 
  • The AI Data Centre Park is envisioned as a catalyst for socio-economic transformation in Chhattisgarh. 
  • It aims to deliver advanced AI-driven solutions in agriculture and education, directly benefiting students, farmers, and rural populations. 
  • By hosting a dedicated SEZ, the park is expected to attract domestic and international tech firms, fostering an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship. 
• Strategic Vision: 
  • It represents a milestone in Chhattisgarh’s push toward digital governance and public service transformation. 
  • The government plans to use AI to enhance service delivery, resource management, and economic productivity across the state. 
  • Complementary initiatives such as the creation of Data AI Clubs in schools and educational partnerships aim to strengthen digital literacy and infrastructure. 

 Special Economic Zone 

• A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a geographical region that has economic laws that are more liberal than a country's domestic economic laws. 
• The category 'SEZ' covers a broad range of more specific zone types, including, but not limited to: 
  • Free Trade Zones (FTZs) 
  • Export Processing Zones (EPZs) 
  • Free Zones (FZs) 
  • Industrial Estates (IEs) 
• India was one of the first in Asia to recognize the effectiveness of the Export Processing Zone model in promoting exports, with Asia's first EPZ set up in Kandla, Gujarat in 1965.