India, July 28 -- In the new geopolitics of technology, digital infrastructure is no longer a byproduct of economic growth; it is the prerequisite. As artificial intelligence reshapes global supply chains, the demand for high-performance computing and GPU-driven data centres has triggered a quiet, intense competition among Indian states. Within this landscape, Uttar Pradesh has executed a striking, well-calibrated move that deserves close examination.

The recent approval of the UP-Data Centre Policy 2026 by the Yogi Adityanath cabinet is a significant departure from traditional sub-national industrial planning. The previous 2021 framework was a necessary proof of concept, successfully mobilising nearly Rs 21,000 crore in investments and ...