Kerala unveils plan to create 5 lakh IT jobs by 2031 under Vision 2031

Kerala has unveiled an extensive plan to create 500,000 jobs in the IT sector by 2031, outlining a bold roadmap to transform the state into a national technology leader.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced the initiative at the ReCode Kerala 2025 IT Seminar, organized by the Department of Electronics and IT.

The state’s Vision 2031 aims to capture 10% of India’s IT market and increase the number of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) to 120.

A draft Vision Document covering Information Technology, Electronics, Semiconductors, and Emerging Technologies was also released, signaling a major policy shift toward digital expansion and innovation.

To meet these targets, Kerala plans to develop 3 crore square feet of IT infrastructure across the state.

Given limited land availability, the government will depend on private investment and land-pooling partnerships to create new facilities.

Vijayan said the expansion would include data centers, cloud infrastructure, and satellite IT parks while adhering to sustainable construction and energy standards.

Kerala’s long-term strategy focuses on talent development and technology-driven employment.

The state government intends to train 1 million young people, generate 500,000 quality jobs, and offer 200,000 opportunities in GCCs.

As part of this, new institutions such as the Kerala Future Technology Mission, Kerala Semiconductor Mission, and Kerala AI Mission will be set up to drive innovation.

Kerala will prioritize research in semiconductors and artificial intelligence, positioning the state as a hub for next-generation technologies.

Vijayan said, “The state aims to become a global center for Artificial Intelligence, integrating AI to improve governance and make public services more citizen-friendly.”

He also announced Maker Village 2.0, an expansion of India’s largest hardware incubator in Kochi.

The upgraded initiative will establish regional incubation and research centers in Wayanad, Kannur, Palakkad, Alappuzha, Thrissur, and Kottayam to promote decentralized innovation and entrepreneurship.

Vijayan highlighted Kerala’s history of leading change across sectors, from education reforms to digital transformation.

The state established India’s first Technopark, electronics production company, Digital University, and Digital Science Park.

Kerala’s startup landscape has also seen remarkable growth, from 300 startups in 2016 to 6,400 today, marking a 254% rise between 2021 and 2023.

With India’s first Super Fab Lab and a growing network of innovation hubs, the state continues to strengthen its reputation as one of the country’s most dynamic and technology-driven ecosystems.