Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday (March 8) graced the occasion of the groundbreaking ceremony of Microsoft’s proposed India Development Centre (IDC) campus in Noida.
The proposed Noida campus, spanning 15 acres with a 1.1 million square feet built-up area, will serve as a hub for advancements in AI, cloud, and security, further expanding Microsoft IDC’s presence in the country. With the proposed Noida campus, Microsoft will continue its momentum of strengthening India’s AI capabilities and supporting engineering talent and digital innovation, the company said in a statement.
“The groundbreaking ceremony of our new Noida campus reflects Microsoft’s continued commitment to advancing responsible AI innovation that empowers all communities, businesses, and citizens,” said Rajiv Kumar, Managing Director and President, Microsoft IDC.
UP biggest destination for investment in country: CM Yogi Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh is the biggest destination for investment in the country and Microsoft's upcoming research and development centre is a testament to this, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Saturday. The chief minister laid the foundation stone of Microsoft's India Development Center (IDC) here.Speaking on the occasion, Adityanath said, "I have been told that Microsoft's India Development Center will become the largest centre of research and development outside their headquarters. After Hyderabad, now Uttar Pradesh is going to be the home of Microsoft in the form of a new campus".
IDC Noida will not only enhance India's technical ecosystem through AI and cloud computing but also advance Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision more effectively. It will serve as a hub for innovations in AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, he added.
He also inaugurated the AI Engineering Center of MAQ Software and Sify Data Center in Gautam Buddha Nagar. The state's policies are being shaped in line with the demands of the modern era, the needs of the youth, and the evolving global landscape through research and development, the chief minister.
He also lauded the single-window clearance system Nivesh Mitra, which exemplifies the state's transparent approach and pro-industry policies. The Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj was the world's largest human gathering, where we utilised Artificial Intelligence (AI), Adityanath stated.
AI was used extensively in Mahakumbh, as a result of which more than 66 crore devotees came to Prayagraj and returned safely to their destination after taking a holy dip of faith, he noted.
Microsoft India Development Centre
The proposed facility will attract top talent from India and the world and empower them to innovate across AI, cloud, and security, that will positively impact billions of lives across the planet.
“We deeply appreciate the support of the government of Uttar Pradesh and Noida Authority in making this vision a reality and are grateful to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for gracing the occasion,” Kumar added.
The facility will accelerate digital transformation, foster AI skilling opportunities, and strengthen “deep partnership with Uttar Pradesh, and helping India become an AI-first nation.” Microsoft IDC has a strong presence in Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Noida.
Microsoft IDC is the largest R&D centre for the company outside the Redmond headquarters in the US. Earlier this year, Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella announced several AI partnerships in the country, which includes an MoU with the government’s ‘India AI Mission’ to skill 5 lakh people.
They will also establish an AI Center of Excellence, called ‘AI Catalysts’, to promote rural AI innovation and support 100,000 AI innovators and developers through hackathons, community-building solutions, and an AI marketplace.