Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has described the state as a region of “unlimited potential”, highlighting its progress in investment, infrastructure, technology and employment. Addressing the GCC Innovation Summit 2026 in Lucknow on Monday, he said the state was working to establish itself as a major destination for Global Capability Centres (GCCs), advanced technology and high-skilled jobs.
The Chief Minister highlighted investment proposals worth more than ₹50 lakh crore, with projects worth ₹15 lakh crore having reached the groundbreaking stage and proposals exceeding ₹7.5 lakh crore ready for the next stage.
Investment and Infrastructure Drive
Yogi Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh had undergone a major change in its approach to attracting investors since 2017. He recalled that earlier efforts to organise an investors’ summit faced difficulties in bringing industry leaders to Lucknow.
According to the Chief Minister, the first Global Investors Summit received investment proposals worth ₹4.65 lakh crore. The state has since developed 36 sectoral policies and expanded its efforts to attract investment across industries.
He also highlighted the role of single-window clearances and investment facilitation in helping businesses access government support and incentives. The government aims to strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s position in technology-driven industries and high-value employment.
Focus on Jobs, Technology and Innovation
The Chief Minister said the state had provided government jobs to 10 lakh young people over the past nine and a half years. He also highlighted the expansion of technical education and the development of a workforce suited to emerging industries.
According to him, Uttar Pradesh produces around two lakh STEM graduates annually. The state is also developing Centres of Excellence in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, robotics, cybersecurity, data analytics, drone technology and green hydrogen.
Yogi Adityanath further stated that the number of startups in Uttar Pradesh had increased from 120 before 2017 to around 25,000. He said these developments were helping connect young people with innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-based opportunities.
Expansion of Airports and Industrial Infrastructure
The Chief Minister pointed to improvements in transport and industrial infrastructure, including expressways, rail connectivity, airports and waterways. He said five international and 17 domestic airports were operational in the state, compared with two fully operational international airports in 2017.
He also highlighted the availability of a 75,000-acre land bank and the development of industrial facilities across different regions. In the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority area, he said, a land bank of 25,000 hectares was available for industrial development.
Several specialised parks are being developed in the region, including Film City, Toy Park, Apparel Park, Medical Device Park, Data Centre Park, Handicraft Park and a logistics hub. Work has also begun on a semiconductor manufacturing unit in the state.
Defence Manufacturing and MSME Growth
Yogi Adityanath said Uttar Pradesh was emerging as an important destination for defence manufacturing, with defence corridors being developed in Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Agra, Aligarh and Chitrakoot.
He referred to the BrahMos missile manufacturing project in Lucknow and said the state had received defence-sector investment proposals worth ₹35,000 crore. He also highlighted plans to develop 27 Integrated Manufacturing and Logistics Clusters.
The Chief Minister discussed the growth of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector through the One District, One Product (ODOP) initiative, which promotes locally made products and connects artisans and businesses with wider markets. He said Uttar Pradesh had around 96 lakh MSME units employing more than 3.25 crore people.
Building Uttar Pradesh as a GCC Destination
The summit focused on the state’s ambition to attract more Global Capability Centres, which provide services such as technology development, analytics, research and business operations for global companies.
The Chief Minister linked this ambition to Uttar Pradesh’s expanding technical education network, improved infrastructure and efforts to create an industry-ready workforce. He also referred to India’s traditional centres of learning, saying the state aimed to carry that legacy forward through modern knowledge and innovation hubs.
Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, Minister of State Jaswant Singh Saini, Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner Deepak Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary for Infrastructure and Industrial Development Alok Kumar, Principal Secretary for IT and Electronics Alok Kumar, IIT Kanpur Director Prof. Manindra Agrawal and industry representatives attended the summit.
Uttar Pradesh’s Economic and Industrial Ambitions
The address placed investment, technology, manufacturing and employment at the centre of Uttar Pradesh’s development agenda. Through its infrastructure expansion, sector-specific policies and focus on skilled talent, the state is seeking to attract global businesses and strengthen its role in India’s growing technology and industrial economy.