India’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs continue to remain one of the strongest drivers of entrepreneurship, employment and economic momentum. Commenting on the Union Budget’s focus on the sector, Shwetank Dixit, Chief Growth Officer at Justdial, said the creation of a ₹10,000 crore MSME Growth Fund, along with a ₹2,000 crore top-up to the Self-Reliant India Fund, marks a significant step in strengthening long-term MSME growth.
According to Dixit, the measures directly address three long-standing challenges faced by MSMEs—limited access to equity capital, inconsistent liquidity and delayed payments. He noted that structural reforms such as improved integration of platforms like the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) could help improve cash flows and bring greater predictability to payment cycles.
Dixit also highlighted the continued emphasis on digital infrastructure and simplified business processes as a critical enabler for MSMEs. As small businesses increasingly adopt digital platforms for discovery, market expansion and productivity gains, these initiatives provide a stronger foundation for sustainable scaling.
He added that a consistent policy focus on digital adoption and financial access will allow MSMEs to grow with greater confidence, efficiency and resilience.
A high-level stakeholders’ meeting was convened in Porvorim on January 9, 2026, to address the growing concern of frequent cable cuts and internet disruptions across Goa. The meeting was chaired by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, in the presence of Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Shri Rohan Khaunte.
Chief Secretary of Goa Dr. V. Candavelou, IAS, along with officials from the Public Works Department, Electricity Department, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), participated in the discussions.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister expressed concern over the recurring disruptions that have been affecting businesses, educational institutions and administrative offices. He directed the Electricity Department to refrain from cutting cables without prior approvals and emphasised the need for close coordination with DITE&C before undertaking any such activities.
Dr. Sawant further instructed that advance notice must be given before conducting cable-related work and stressed strict adherence to safety and security protocols. Highlighting the importance of long-term solutions, he advised DITE&C to make provisions for underground duct infrastructure to protect critical digital networks.
In a key directive, the Chief Minister instructed the Electricity Department not to carry out cable cuts for a period of one year until the necessary underground infrastructure is put in place. He also suggested utilising existing underground ducts in areas where such facilities are already available.
The meeting concluded with a collective commitment from all stakeholders to work in close coordination, take swift corrective measures and ensure minimal disruption to internet services. The initiative underscored the government’s focus on safeguarding digital infrastructure and ensuring seamless connectivity across the state.
In the land of golden shores and rising digital ambition, Goa is steadily carving its path toward becoming India’s Creative Capital and a thriving technology hub. The year 2025 proved to be a defining phase in this journey, with the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C) leading a wave of innovation focused on connectivity, e-governance, infrastructure, skilling and startups.
Connectivity continued to form the backbone of Goa’s digital ambitions. The state significantly expanded its network of free public Wi-Fi to 135 hotspots across key public spaces, while the rollout of 4G and 5G towers gained momentum, ensuring faster and more reliable internet access for citizens, businesses and visitors. The Goa Broadband Network further strengthened this foundation by extending high-speed internet connectivity to 1,492 government offices, helping bridge the digital divide and enabling seamless digital service delivery.
E-governance witnessed major advancements, bringing government services closer to the people. The GoaOnline portal, offering 265 services across 41 departments, recorded over 11 lakh digital interactions in 2025, reflecting growing public trust in online service delivery. Complementing this, the Gramin Mitra Yojana, implemented through Common Service Centres, ensured essential digital services reached remote and rural communities, reinforcing transparent and people-centric governance.
Skilling emerged as a core focus area as Goa prepared its citizens for the future digital economy. The launch of the Goa AI Mission 2027 marked a transformative step, built on four pillars of skilling, startups and companies, capital, and infrastructure. An early milestone under this mission was the AI for Governance programme conducted in collaboration with the IndiaAI Mission, Google and the World Bank, which sensitised government officials to the practical use of artificial intelligence in governance and service delivery.
Digital literacy initiatives gained further momentum through programmes such as the Mahila Digital Shashaktikaran Scheme, aimed at empowering women through computer education. The department also continued its commitment to inclusive education by distributing laptops to 111 meritorious SC and ST students under the Free Laptop Distribution Scheme for the academic year 2024–25.
On the infrastructure front, significant progress was made at the Electronics Manufacturing Centre in Tuem, Pernem, with plots allotted to companies including Zen Technologies Limited and Powerland Agro Tractors Pvt. Ltd., strengthening Goa’s electronics and manufacturing ecosystem. The state also explored emerging technologies such as blockchain, facilitating dialogue between industry and academia, while engaging with global firms and a high-level Norwegian delegation to strengthen international collaborations.
DITE&C showcased Goa’s digital vision at major national platforms such as the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 and the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi, highlighting the state’s technology initiatives and startup ecosystem. Goa’s startup landscape continued to flourish, with over 700 DPIIT-registered startups, including 328 women-led ventures. The revised Goa Startup Policy 2025 introduced 12 targeted schemes to support seed funding, mentorship, reimbursements and sustainable innovation.
Innovation challenges further energised the ecosystem, with the Goa Open Innovation Challenge attracting 557 participants who presented solutions to real-world governance and public service challenges. The department also signed key MoUs with Sarla Aviation Pvt. Ltd., the Digital India Bhashini Division and Maker’s Asylum, strengthening technology adoption, creative sectors and inclusive governance.
The launch of the #EmpoweredinGoa campaign encapsulated the spirit of 2025, celebrating an ecosystem where founders can innovate, students can skill up, women can lead, digital nomads can thrive and citizens can benefit from people-first governance. With high-speed connectivity, lifestyle advantages and improved infrastructure, Goa also emerged as a preferred destination for digital nomads and remote professionals.
As the state looks ahead to 2026, the groundwork laid in 2025 positions Goa for sustained growth and global recognition. With continued investments in digital infrastructure, innovation and skill development, Goa is well on its way to becoming one of India’s leading tech hubs while remaining inclusive, creative and community-driven.
DITE&C, in partnership with Infotech Corporation of Goa Ltd (ITG), has taken a significant step toward enhancing Canacona’s digital infrastructure with the rollout of over 100 WiFi access points, more than 240 CCTV cameras and strengthened 5G mobile coverage at Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math.
The project, inaugurated on November 27, 2025, reflects the Goa Government’s commitment to building a resilient digital ecosystem under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant. The launch ceremony was graced by His Holiness, Paramapoojya Shreemad Vidyadheesh Teerth Shreepad Vader Swamiji, along with Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications Shri Rohan Khaunte and senior dignitaries from DITE&C and ITG. Canacona already enjoyed 5G services from Jio and BSNL, and with the addition of Airtel (Indus Towers) around the Math premises, mobile connectivity has been further strengthened, enhancing access for residents, devotees and the growing number of visitors who arrive to witness the revered 77-foot bronze idol.
Swamiji expressed gratitude to the Goa Government for ensuring digital readiness ahead of the grand celebrations, highlighting the importance of extending digital infrastructure to rural communities. Minister Rohan Khaunte emphasized that the deployment reinforces the state’s long-term digital vision and will continue benefiting the area well beyond the celebrations. Of the 100+ WiFi hotspots installed, 57 are permanent and designed to deliver speeds up to 10Gbps with seamless login via SMS or WhatsApp.
Similarly, the installation of 240 CCTV cameras, including AI-enabled units capable of monitoring headcounts and identifying habitual offenders with police-provided data, ensures a robust security ecosystem. Eighty of these cameras are permanent fixtures, supporting continuous surveillance and crowd management throughout the year.
This initiative marks another milestone in DITE&C’s mission to expand reliable digital services across Goa, ensuring that even rural regions and high-footfall spiritual destinations benefit from modern connectivity and safety solutions.
In a transformative move for India’s digital infrastructure, Google is reportedly investing $6 billion to establish its largest AI data center outside the United States in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The ambitious project includes the development of a 1-gigawatt data facility and the supporting energy and digital ecosystem to power its operations. Out of the total investment, $2 billion is expected to be directed specifically toward renewable energy capacity, reinforcing Google’s global sustainability commitments.
This landmark facility is anticipated to become the largest data center in Asia, both in terms of capacity and investment size. It is also Google’s first-of-its-kind data center investment in India, making it a strategic cornerstone in the company’s regional expansion across Asia, where it is also ramping up operations in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.
While Google and the Andhra Pradesh government have not officially confirmed the development, sources cited by Reuters suggest the announcement is likely to be made in October. If finalized, the data center will mark a major leap forward in India’s role in global cloud and AI infrastructure.
This project aligns with Andhra Pradesh’s aggressive digital vision. According to the state’s IT Minister, Nara Lokesh, the government has already secured agreements for data centers totaling 1.6 gigawatts, and plans are in place to scale that figure up to 6 gigawatts over the next five years. He emphasized that the initial 1.6 GW of data centers are expected to go live within the next 24 months, ushering in a new era of tech-driven economic growth for the state.
In addition to the data center buildout, Andhra Pradesh is also working to establish three international cable landing stations in Visakhapatnam. These critical infrastructures are essential for ensuring high-speed, reliable internet connections to global networks. Lokesh highlighted that the planned cable capacity would be twice the scale of what Mumbai currently handles, positioning Visakhapatnam as a future tech and connectivity hub for India.
Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, had previously announced in April 2025 its plan to invest up to $75 billion this year into building global data center capacity, underlining the critical role these infrastructures play in AI development, cloud computing, and digital transformation initiatives.
As India strengthens its position on the global tech map, this Visakhapatnam project stands as a milestone moment—not just for Andhra Pradesh but for the country’s broader ambitions to lead in AI, sustainability, and next-generation infrastructure.
