The 5th APAC India Digital Empowerment Summit – Uttarakhand Edition, hosted by the ITDA, the Information Technology, Science & Technology Department, Uttarakhand; and CERT Uttarakhand, in association with APAC Media and supported by the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), concluded successfully in Dehradun on 16th April 2026.
With its central theme focused on Uttarakhand’s digital transformation through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, the summit highlighted the state’s ambition to emerge as a technology-driven hub in line with India’s long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Key Themes and Strategic Direction
The summit focused on several core areas:
- AI-driven governance for better provision of public services
- Cybersecurity and digital resilience
- Scalable cloud and digital infrastructure
- Skill development and institutional capacity building
- Strong collaboration between government, industry, and academia
Strong Commitment to Digitally Empowered Uttarakhand
The event saw the presence of key dignitaries, including Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Pradeep Batra, Minister for Information Technology, Good Governance, Science & Technology, and Transportation, Uttarakhand.
The chief minister formally inaugurated the summit and chaired the high-level Industry CEO Roundtable. During the roundtable, he shared his forward-looking vision for a digitally empowered Uttarakhand aligned with the goals of Viksit Bharat 2047
In his address, the chief minister highlighted the importance of such platforms in shaping future policies. He noted that discussions from the summit would guide Uttarakhand’s digital roadmap and strengthen governance through technology.
Senior officials including Nitesh Kumar Jha, IAS, Secretary, Information Technology & Urban Development Department, Government of Uttarakhand; Alok Kumar Pandey, IAS, Additional Secretary, IT Department and Director, ITDA; Dhirendra Kumar Tiwari, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Good Governance and IT, Government of Punjab; Dr. Amit Sharma, Additional Director General and Adviser (Cyber), Ministry of Defence, Government of India; and Arvind Kumar, Director General, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), underscored the importance of collaborative governance, technological innovation, and cybersecurity in driving India’s digital future.
Major Milestones of the Summit
One of the most significant outcomes of the summit was the launch of CERT Uttarakhand. This initiative aims to strengthen the state’s cybersecurity framework and improve preparedness against digital threats.
Another key milestone was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with IIIT Hyderabad. The partnership will focus on AI research, innovation, and capacity building, paving the way for advanced technological development in Uttarakhand.
Additionally, the CERT Uttarakhand team was honoured with a Certificate of Appreciation, received by Ashish Upadhyay, DGM (Cybersecurity & Forensics), ITDA, and Head CERT, Uttarakhand, for their outstanding contributions to strengthening the state’s cybersecurity ecosystem
Industry Roundtable Highlights Investment Potential
A major highlight was the CEO Roundtable chaired by IT Minister Pradeep Batra. Industry leaders engaged in detailed discussions around investment opportunities, policy frameworks, and infrastructure needs.
Participants emphasised the importance of stable and transparent policies, streamlined approvals through single-window systems, and improved ease of doing business. Key infrastructure priorities included expanding fiber connectivity in hilly regions, ensuring a reliable power supply, and leveraging green energy.
The industry leaders also showed strong interest in investing in data centers and digital infrastructure while calling for long-term policy clarity and incentives.
Industry Representatives Bring Forward Tech-Driven Governance Solutions
Industry leaders from organisations including HPE, Riverbed Technology, Palo Alto, Netskope, OpenText, and UTIMACO brought forward various AI and cybersecurity solutions to enhance digital governance in India.
The Road Ahead
The event concluded with a clear action plan. The state aims to operationalise CERT Uttarakhand swiftly and also identify priority areas for AI in governance while continuing regular consultations with stakeholders.
With growing industry interest and strong policy intent, Uttarakhand is positioning itself as an emerging digital powerhouse ready to attract investment and innovation.
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