Union Budget 2025: Important tech and IT announcements

Union Budget Tech and IT Announcements: A national framework to help states promote Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and enhance the availability of talent and infrastructure in tier II cities will further boost the fledgling GCC ecosystem in the country which has seen tremendous growth over the last few years. Estimates suggest that two new GCCs were set up every week last year.

Also Read: Union Budget 2025: Centre of excellence for AI to be set up with Rs 500 crore outlay


"Great to see government partnering with #GCCs to boost #Infrastructure development and #talent in #Tier2Cities. A national guidance framework will be provided to help states promote and accelerate GCC growth," industry body Nasscom said on X (formerly Twitter) following the announcement.



With 80% of global firms yet to establish GCCs in India, this initiative unlocks tremendous potential for transforming India's attractiveness as the global GCC capital, while creating millions of skilled jobs across the country's emerging urban centres, said Lalit Ahuja, CEO, ANSR.

Jaspreet Singh, partner and GCC industry leader, Grant Thornton Bharat said that as GCCs evolve into strategic hubs for innovation and technology, this expansion will drive inclusive growth, reduce regional disparities, and position India as a global leader in digital and business services.

There was a significant push made for having a future ready workforce with focus on driving innovation and research through several initiatives. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman put the spotlight on education, skilling and technological innovation with a special focus on artificial intelligence in education.

The government has announced the setting up of a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for AI in education with a Rs 500 crore outlay, Sitharaman said.

She also promised global skilling partnerships to boost India’s role in global manufacturing. Notably, a National Manufacturing Mission for small, medium and large industries to further Make In India was also announced.

Sitharaman said infrastructure will be expanded in IITs set up after 2015, allowing for 6,500 more students across five IITs.

Additionally, a deeptech Fund of Funds will be explored to support technological advancements, while 10,000 fellowships will be provided for tech research at IITs and IISc under the PM Research Fellowship Scheme, Sitharaman said.

Also, a new Fund of Funds for Startups will be set up to power entrepreneurship with fresh contribution of another Rs 10,000 crore, in addition to existing government contribution of Rs 10,000 crore, the finance minister said.

“The renewal of the Rs 10,000 crore commitment to the Fund of Funds for AIFs is a significant step forward for the Indian startup and investment ecosystem," Anirudh A. Damani, managing partner, Artha Venture Fund said in a statement. "The initial Rs 10,000 crore commitment catalyzed Rs 91,000 crore in investments, and I fully expect this fresh infusion to attract an additional Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh crore in capital."

He said the initiatives will provide much-needed growth capital to early-stage startups, further strengthening India’s position as a global innovation hub.

The government’s also announced a new scheme for 5 lakh women, scheduled castes & scheduled tribes first-time entrepreneurs was also announced.