The Maharashtra Cabinet declared the Maharashtra AI Policy 2026 at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis yesterday. The policy is intended to boost the use of Artificial Intelligence in industries, governance and public services across the state.

 

Through the Maharashtra AI Policy-2026, which will be implemented on the lines of the ‘India AI Mission’, the government aims to promote research, innovation and responsible governance. The policy targets attracting investments worth Rs 10 thousand crore and creating more than one and a half lakh job opportunities by 2031.

 

The establishment of the ‘Maharashtra AI Mission’ has been proposed under this policy, along with a scheme to train two lakh youth and professionals in AI. Under this policy, AI cities will be developed in five innovation areas, and the State AI Data Exchange and Maharashtra Advanced Centre for Artificial Intelligence Training will also be established, among other initiatives. It also aims to bring MSMEs into the field of AI by providing a 20 per cent subsidy on AI implementation costs to five thousand MSMEs, along with the establishment of a central platform called the ‘Maha AI Tools Hub’.

 

To strengthen the start-up ecosystem, the policy proposes a dedicated ‘AI Startup Venture Fund’ of 500 crore rupees. It also aims to establish 12 AI incubators across the state. The policy further includes major financial incentives to attract industries. The policy marks an ambitious step by Maharashtra in the world of Artificial Intelligence.