Mohali:
Punjab is stepping up its efforts to attract technology investment, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann positioning Mohali as a potential major hub for artificial intelligence, digital innovation and Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
Mann made the statement on August 24 after holding a meeting with a delegation of the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) in Chandigarh. The discussions focused on strengthening Punjab’s IT ecosystem, attracting new investment and creating more employment opportunities for the state’s young workforce.
The Chief Minister said Punjab has several advantages that can make it an attractive destination for technology companies. These include a skilled talent pool, established educational institutions, modern infrastructure, relatively competitive business costs and the support offered through Invest Punjab.
The state’s new IT/ITeS, Data Centre and GCC Policy 2026 is also being presented as an important part of the investment strategy. The policy provides a framework of incentives for eligible technology, data-centre and GCC projects and is aimed at encouraging companies to establish or expand operations in Punjab.
Mohali is at the centre of this strategy. The city already has an established IT and commercial ecosystem, while its location within the Tricity gives companies access to road, rail and air connectivity as well as a large pool of professionals.
Mann highlighted the presence of reputed educational institutions in and around Mohali as another advantage. According to the Chief Minister, the region can provide technology companies with access to engineering, technology and management professionals required to build specialised teams.
The government is also seeking greater participation from the IT industry in Punjab’s startup ecosystem. During the meeting, Mann invited NASSCOM to partner with the state’s startup incubator in Mohali and contribute to developing the city’s innovation and entrepreneurship environment.
The proposed focus on artificial intelligence goes beyond conventional software and IT services. Punjab is also looking at the use of AI in agriculture, an area that could have particular significance for the state.
Punjab Agricultural University, IIT Ropar and the Union Ministry of Agriculture are working together on AI-based applications for agriculture. The proposed work includes smart farming models, precision agriculture and predictive analytics aimed at improving farm productivity and supporting more sustainable agricultural practices.
For Mohali, the development of an AI-focused ecosystem could open opportunities across several areas, including software development, data analytics, cybersecurity, cloud technology, research and emerging technologies. A stronger technology ecosystem could also benefit startups and smaller businesses that provide services to larger companies.
Another area being targeted is the development of Global Capability Centres. GCCs are specialised operations established by multinational companies for functions such as technology, analytics, research, finance and other professional services.
The expansion of GCCs in Mohali could create demand for highly skilled professionals and generate employment beyond the traditional IT services sector. It could also encourage supporting businesses, training institutions and startups to develop around the technology ecosystem.
Mohali’s existing infrastructure is an important part of the government’s pitch. The city has developed as a major urban centre of the Tricity, with IT City, established commercial areas, educational institutions, healthcare facilities and proximity to Chandigarh International Airport.
The state government is also emphasising the ease of doing business. Invest Punjab and the state’s single-window system are being positioned as mechanisms through which companies can receive support while setting up or expanding their operations.
However, turning the vision of an AI and GCC hub into reality will require sustained investment. Companies considering Mohali will look not only at incentives but also at the availability of skilled workers, reliable infrastructure, office space, connectivity and the wider quality of the business ecosystem.
The government’s engagement with NASSCOM is therefore significant as Punjab seeks to build stronger links with the technology industry. Greater industry participation could help the state understand what companies require and identify areas where infrastructure, skills and policy support need to improve.
For young people in Punjab, the technology push could create opportunities in areas that are seeing rapid growth globally. Artificial intelligence, data science, software engineering, cybersecurity and digital services are among the fields where demand for specialised skills is increasing.
Mohali already has a base on which this expansion can be built. The challenge now is to attract enough investment and develop the ecosystem needed to turn the city into a major technology destination. The latest meeting indicates that the Punjab Government wants Mohali to play a central role in that transformation. With AI, digital innovation and GCCs becoming the focus of the state’s technology strategy, Mohali is increasingly being positioned as one of the key cities through which Punjab hopes to expand its presence in India’s technology economy
