• High-level meeting led by IT Secretary Dr. Piyush Singla kicks off strategic study to emulate India’s top tech hubs, aligning with J&K IT Policy 2020 to boost jobs, innovation, and investment

JAMMU:  In a decisive move to strengthen the IT landscape of Jammu & Kashmir, the government has initiated a detailed study to explore models for setting up IT/ITES Parks across the Union Territory as envisioned in the J&K IT Policy 2020. A high level meeting chaired by Secretary, IT Department, Dr Piyush Singla, brought together members of the Study Group comprising senior officials from the IT Department, Jammu & Kashmir e-Governance Agency (JaKeGA), Planning Department, IIT Jammu, IIM Jammu and SeMT to chart out the roadmap for developing state-of-the-art IT/ITES Parks in J&K.

Dr. Singla underscored the importance of adopting best practices from leading IT Parks in India to ensure the success and sustainability of similar initiatives in J&K. He highlighted that these efforts are aligned with the UT’s IT Policy 2020, which envisions IT Parks in Jammu and Srinagar to spur innovation, generate employment and attract investments.

The meeting featured a presentation by Chief Innovation Officer, IIT Jammu, MT Arvind, showcasing preliminary findings on prominent IT and research parks across India. These included Electronics City (Karnataka), HITEC City (Telangana), T-Hub Hyderabad, Technopark Trivandrum (Kerala) and IIT Madras Research Park. The presentation detailed key aspects such as investment models, governance frameworks, operational best practices and policy support mechanisms.

Discussions also focused on distinguishing between research parks, incubation centers and full-scale IT Parks, with an emphasis on fostering innovation, integrating emerging technologies and creating an enabling ecosystem for startups and Global Capability Centres (GCCs). Chief Executive Officer, JaKeGA, Mahima Madaan, referenced the IT Infrastructure Development Private Limited, established in 2019, as a potential vehicle for anchoring such initiatives.

Meanwhile, Director Planning briefed about the Center for Innovation, Transformation, and Governance (C-TAG) set up in partnership with IIM Jammu to drive policy innovation. Dr. Guneet Soodan, Director, University of Jammu and OSD to the Vice Chairman of J&K Higher Education Council, stressed the need for a collaborative ecosystem with strong government-industry-academia partnerships to attract major players and ensure availability of skilled manpower.

As a key outcome, the Study Group resolved to conduct field visits to successful IT Park models such as T-Hub and Cyberabad in Hyderabad and IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai. These visits aim to provide first-hand insights into operational dynamics, governance mechanisms and innovation ecosystems.

Dr. Piyush Singla stated that "This initiative reflects our commitment to transform Jammu & Kashmir into a digital and innovation-driven economy. By learning from India’s most successful IT ecosystems, we will develop a sustainable, future-ready framework for IT/ITES Parks in the UT, he added. He said that these parks will not only catalyze job creation and investments but also position J&K as a key player in India’s digital growth story.

Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). “His article, ‘When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.”.  Read the message here
In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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