Govt is keen on embracing new tech, says IT Minister

Trivandrum / October 8, 2026

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct. 08: Highlighting that moving beyond conventional lines is vital, Minister for Industries, Commerce, IT & Artificial Intelligence Shri PK Kunhalikutty said today that the government is focusing on adopting emerging technologies, giving them top priority and developing them for the benefit of the youth.

Shri Kunhalikutty was speaking after unveiling the Tech Keralam Brand and launching the IT Parks Affiliation Scheme at Technopark Phase I here. On the occasion, the minister also launched Tech Keralam website (www.techkeralam.in) that provides a digital pathway for eligible entities to register and become part of the affiliated network.

Shri V Muraleedharan, MLA, presided over the function. 

The state government has launched the IT Parks Affiliation Scheme and the Tech Keralam Brand, aiming at bringing companies, co-working spaces and private technology infrastructure into a connected state-level technology ecosystem and creating greater opportunities in emerging technologies.

The minister said the government will prioritise every technology sector and has provided funds to each one for development.  

“Keralam has a strong foundation of so many IT parks, and we have educated youth who can easily adapt to any technology. What is required is to give them the hand-holding and help improve their knowledge in technology,” the minister opined.

Shri Kunhalikutty said through the IT Parks affiliation scheme, the government wants to make the private parks also part of it. “In that way, we want to make an ecosystem in Keralam for everybody to come and invest. Companies and people in other states are showing interest here. So, we have to grab the opportunity.”

Noting that Keralam has critical ingredients like human capital, quality of life, and technology infrastructure, Shri Muraleedharan said these factors can be leveraged to create more jobs by attracting investment from around the world.

In his keynote address, Shri Seeram Sambasiva Rao, IAS, Special Secretary, Department of IT, AI, and Future Technologies, Govt. of Keralam, said Tech Keralam represents a much broader vision than conventional IT promotion. It brings together technology companies, startups, research institutions, universities, infrastructure developers, investors, and industry partners into one connected ecosystem.

“We have identified strategic sectors for attracting global capability centres, and our ambition is to attract more investments, build globally competitive industries, and create large-scale, high-quality employment in the state,” he said.

Shri Seeram Sambasiva Rao informed that as part of transforming the entire institutional framework to support this larger ambition, Kerala State IT Mission will be transformed into Kerala State Digital Technology Mission to drive programmes that enable technology adoption, with a focus on AI and emerging technologies.

“We are also establishing The Future Corporation, for which the Cabinet has already accorded in-principle approval, as a dedicated institution to coordinate ecosystem development, promote Kerala globally, attract and facilitate investments, and build strategic collaborations,” he added.

Shri Sachin Kumar Yadav, IAS, CEO, Technopark, welcomed the gathering while Shri Vipin Kumar S, CFO, Kerala IT Parks, proposed a vote of thanks. 

Shri Susanth Kurunthil, CEO, Infopark & Cyberpark, made a presentation of the Affiliation Scheme while Shri Santosh Kumar, Vice Chairman, CII Kerala State Council, spoke on ‘Industry Perspective: Tech Keralam & The IT Parks Affiliation Scheme’.

A project of setting up a two lakh sqft prefabricated IT building and common recreational areas at Technopark Phase-III campus was launched on the occasion.

Technopark and Caspian Techparks also exchanged an MoU for an upcoming project at the Technopark Phase-1 campus. The event also saw the launch of the Semicon Consortium and the formal announcement of Maker Hub. 

Dr Saji Gopinath, Vice Chancellor, Digital University of Kerala; Shri Jijimon Chandran of Acsia Technologies; Ms Tina James, Vice Chairperson, GTECH; industry leaders, and Technopark officials were also present. 

The IT Parks Affiliation Scheme seeks to bring eligible technology establishments beyond the government IT Parks into a connected state-level technology ecosystem, enabling greater engagement with government, industry and other ecosystem partners.

Under the scheme, establishments outside government-owned IT Parks can also utilise the benefits extended by the state IT Parks.

The IT Parks Affiliation Scheme will provide an opportunity to become part of Keralam growing technology network, gain greater visibility, access ecosystem opportunities and engage more closely with government, industry and other partners. The Affiliation Portal will provide a simple digital pathway for eligible entities to register and join the affiliated network.

Tech Keralam Brand represents the broad vision of connecting technology, innovation, research, startups and knowledge-intensive industries under a common ecosystem, while creating greater opportunities for Keralam human capital.

Ends