Maharashtra government unveiled a ‘State AI Policy-2026’ during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, that calls for a State AI Mission to boost the adoption of artificial intelligence across State industries, administration, and public services.
The policy sets goals of attracting investments exceeding ₹10,000 crore and generating over 1.5 lakh job opportunities by 2031 as part of State government’s plan to make Maharashtra the ‘National Hub for Ethical and Inclusive AI Development.’
Under the policy, the government will provide AI-related skills training to 2 lakh youths and professionals across the State.
“The very essence of this policy is for Maharashtra to establish itself as a ‘Reference State’ for the ‘India AI Mission’ in the development of ethical Artificial Intelligence,” said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
AI infrastructure
The policy details seven foundational pillars, prioritising State-wide AI infrastructure such as a computing capacity of at least 2,000 GPUs and a system enabling government departments to access resources through a ‘Compute-as-a-Service’ model. Furthermore, ‘AI Cities’ are slated for development across five key innovation sectors.
The government will create datasets encompassing the Marathi language, regional dialects, and tribal languages to create local datasets for a ‘State AI Data Exchange.’ The State infrastructure will be integrated with the Centre’s ‘AI Kosh’ (AI Fund) platform. The policy also suggests a permanent framework for the ethical use of AI and a mandatory annual AI readiness audit for every government department.
MSME and start-ups
For the entry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) into the AI domain, the government will provide 20 per cent subsidies to 5,000 MSMEs for their AI implementation costs, and a centralised platform ‘Maha AI Tools Hub’ to support this initiative. Further, an ‘AI Startup Venture Fund’ of ₹500 crore will be constituted, with contributions expected to be split equally between the government and the private sector (₹250 crore each). This is in line with the policy’s goal to set up at least one ‘AI Unicorn’ within the State.
Further, each start-up will be eligible to receive a grant of up to ₹1 crore, with women-led start-ups receiving an additional financial assistance of up to ₹2.5 crore, along with an additional 25 per cent aid.
Investment incentives
Industries will be offered incentives such as a capital subsidy of up to 20 per cent on fixed capital investment, a 100 per cent waiver on stamp duty, electricity tariff subsidy of ₹2 per unit for up to 10 years, reimbursement of expenses up to ₹8 lakh for domestic patents and ₹10 lakh for international patents, and reimbursement of certification costs up to ₹25 lakh. Industries participating in international exhibitions will be eligible for a rental reimbursement of up to ₹25 lakh.
The policy also calls for a ‘Maharashtra Centre for Advanced AI Training’ (MCAT) and Centers of Excellence (CoE) across health, agriculture, education, urban development, Marathi language and culture, and finance and revenue.
Published on April 29, 2026