Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone for the Digital Science Park in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, marking a major milestone in India’s digital innovation and research ecosystem.

The ambitious project, part of Kerala’s ₹1,500 crore ($183 million) infrastructure push, aims to become the country’s first third-generation science park — a cutting-edge research and incubation hub integrating academia, industry, and startups.

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Kerala’s Digital Science Park: A Vision for the Future

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Digital Science Park will serve as a multidisciplinary cluster-based innovation zone focused on Industry 4.0 technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, data analytics, cybersecurity, electronics, and smart materials.

It will be established at Technopark Phase IV – Technocity, close to the Digital University of Kerala, and is designed to act as a collaborative platform for researchers, startups, and global technology firms.

The project is expected to be completed in two years, with operations scheduled to commence within the next few months.

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Project Scale and Structure

The Digital Science Park will cover a total area of 2,00,000 square feet and will consist of two buildings:

• The First Building (1,50,000 sq. ft.) will house the Centre of Excellence (CoE), featuring research laboratories, innovation clusters, and a digital incubator spread over five floors.
• The Second Building will include the administrative block and a Digital Experience Centre, aimed at public engagement and industry demonstrations.

The Kerala government has already sanctioned ₹200 crore toward the project cost, while the remaining investment will be sourced from industry partnerships and global collaborations.

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Key Collaborations: ARM Partners With Digital University Kerala

In a significant development, UK-based semiconductor and software design firm ARM has signed an agreement with the Digital University Kerala to collaborate on academic programs, research initiatives, and startup incubation within the Digital Science Park.

This partnership is expected to strengthen India’s domestic capabilities in semiconductor design, embedded systems, and hardware-software co-development, aligning with the central government’s Semicon India Mission.

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A National Push for Industry 4.0 Innovation

Speaking at the foundation stone ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Digital Science Park as a “key research facility for developing digital products and services” that will foster synergy between academia, startups, and industry.

The park will support business units and technology startups specializing in:

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Robotics and Automation
• Data Analytics and Cybersecurity
• Smart Materials and Sustainable Hardware

As India moves toward a digital-first economy, this initiative reinforces the government’s focus on building advanced research infrastructure to drive Industry 4.0 adoption across sectors.

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Part of a Broader ₹3,200 Crore Infrastructure Push

During his two-day visit to Kerala, Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects worth over ₹3,200 crore, spanning sectors such as transportation, technology, and education.

The Digital Science Park, worth ₹1,500 crore, represents the flagship project of this wave of development — aimed at transforming Kerala into a global knowledge and innovation hub.

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Third-Generation Science Park Model: What Makes It Unique

The Digital Science Park follows a third-generation Science Park model, characterized by:

• Collaborative innovation ecosystems, where academia, startups, and corporations work together.
• Open-access research labs for joint development and rapid prototyping.
• Integration with global research networks, enabling international cooperation.

Unlike traditional science parks that primarily provided physical infrastructure, third-generation parks like this one focus on knowledge transfer, co-creation, and real-time collaboration.

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Government Leaders and Dignitaries in Attendance

The ceremony witnessed the participation of several key figures, including:

• Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan
• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
• Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw
• Thiruvananthapuram MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor
• Various ministers from the Left-led Kerala government

The presence of leaders across party lines underscored the non-partisan importance of the project for Kerala’s economic and technological advancement.

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Prime Minister’s Remarks: Kerala’s Role in India’s Digital Future

In his address, Prime Minister Modi praised the people of Kerala for their high education levels, global awareness, and cultural depth, calling them a community that “understands global trends and represents India’s potential in the new world order.”

He emphasized that the Digital Science Park aligns with India’s broader mission to become a global digital powerhouse, leveraging Kerala’s intellectual capital and innovation-friendly ecosystem.

“Kerala’s people have the capability to appreciate how India is being recognized globally as a vibrant hub of development. Their hard work and politeness give them a unique identity,”
— Prime Minister Narendra Modi

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Strategic Importance of Thiruvananthapuram’s Technocity

Located in Technocity, Thiruvananthapuram’s Digital University of Kerala and the upcoming Digital Science Park are expected to jointly serve as the anchor institutions for a national digital innovation corridor.

This corridor will:

• Foster AI-driven startups and R&D collaborations,
• Support digital manufacturing and sustainability research, and
• Serve as a launchpad for global partnerships in science and technology.

The project positions Kerala as a national hub for advanced digital education, research, and entrepreneurship.

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Funding and Development Model

The total cost of the Digital Science Park project exceeds ₹1,500 crore, funded through a public-private partnership (PPP) model:

• ₹200 crore has been committed by the Kerala government.
• The remainder will be raised through industry collaborations, academic partnerships, and global funding agencies.

This hybrid model ensures both government oversight and private-sector efficiency in execution and operations.

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Expected Outcomes

Once operational, the Digital Science Park aims to:

• Create 10,000+ direct and indirect jobs in advanced technology sectors.
• Accelerate startup incubation and industry-academic research collaborations.
• Boost Kerala’s global visibility as a leader in digital innovation.
• Facilitate the development of next-generation digital products for both domestic and export markets.

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Alignment With India’s National Vision

The Digital Science Park aligns with several central initiatives, including:

• Digital India Mission – advancing e-governance and digital transformation.
• Startup India – fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat – promoting self-reliance in science and technology.
• Semicon India Mission – strengthening semiconductor research and design capabilities.

Together, these initiatives are transforming India into a global hub of digital knowledge and manufacturing excellence.

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Conclusion: A Defining Step in India’s Tech Evolution

The Digital Science Park is not just an infrastructure project — it’s a symbol of India’s next-generation innovation drive.

By integrating research, industry collaboration, and startup incubation under one roof, it represents a new model of digital science infrastructure for the 21st century.

With Prime Minister Modi’s leadership and Kerala’s academic strength, the Digital Science Park is poised to become a national beacon of digital innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth — one that will propel India’s ambitions in the global technology landscape.

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FAQs

1. What is the Digital Science Park in Kerala?
It is India’s first third-generation science park, focused on digital technologies such as AI, robotics, and data analytics.

2. Where is it located?
It is located at Technocity, Thiruvananthapuram, near the Digital University of Kerala.

3. What is the total cost of the project?
The project is valued at over ₹1,500 crore, with ₹200 crore already allocated by the Kerala government.

4. Who are the major partners?
Key partners include ARM (UK), Digital University Kerala, and various domestic and global tech firms.

5. When will the Digital Science Park become operational?
Operations are expected to begin within the next few months, with full completion in two years.

6. What technologies will it focus on?
It will support AI, robotics, data analytics, cybersecurity, and smart material innovations.