BharatNetra FinTech Hub launched in Odisha to skill 7,000 youth, support startups, and position India as a global digital finance leader
OdishaPlus Bureau
Mohan Charan Majhi, the Chief Minister of Odisha, has officially launched the ‘BharatNetra initiative’, which serves as an Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub, in Bhubaneswar. He described it as a groundbreaking initiative that will influence the future of finance in Odisha, asserting that it will enhance India’s position as a leader in the global digital economy. Odisha is set to play a pivotal role in establishing India as a global economic powerhouse.
The Odisha government has established this hub in partnership with the Global Finance & Technology Network Singapore (GFTN), the National University of Singapore, and the Asian Institute of Digital Finance. During the event, Majhi emphasized that the initiative aims to equip students across all 30 districts of Odisha with essential skills. It will offer certification programs developed by the Asian Institute of Digital Finance at the National University of Singapore.
The Chief Minister noted that this initiative was a result of the significant visit by the Hon’ble President of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, to Odisha in January of this year. Majhi mentioned that the State will support startups and entrepreneurs by creating a dedicated Centre of Excellence within this Hub.
Furthermore, the project will also set up a Global Capability Centre (GCC), as stated by the Chief Minister. He added that the GCC will serve as a robust foundation for attracting global financial institutions and new investments to Odisha.
In discussing the State’s initiatives to enhance digital infrastructure, he announced that a ‘cable landing station connecting Bhubaneswar to Singapore’ is currently under development. Additionally, he highlighted that Odisha is the first State to implement an AI policy, stating, “We are now in the process of launching a dedicated FinTech Policy and GCC Policy to draw in global investments.”
The Chief Minister stated that this initiative aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision, who has proposed the skilling of 3 crore youth across the nation with an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore during his Independence Day address this year. He noted that Odisha produces approximately 1.8 lakh graduates each year in various engineering, polytechnic, and IT disciplines, along with skilled youth from 950 ITIs.
Highlighting the significance of Research, Majhi mentioned that in addition to skilling, Odisha has set up a Deep Neural Network Laboratory and other Centres of Excellence. “Our vision is to establish Odisha as the Research Capital of the East,” he remarked.
During the event, the Chief Minister also launched the BharatNetra Hackathon Website, and a GCC + overall programme was announced.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan remarked that Odisha’s vision is in harmony with India’s national priority to equip “our youth for the global digital economy.”
The BharatNetra initiative aims to create opportunities for both employment and entrepreneurship, while also enhancing India’s position in financial inclusion and innovation, he stated.
The I-GFTCH in Odisha will concentrate on four key pillars: Global Learning, Global Mindshare, Global Innovation, and Global Capability Hub, which have been developed in collaboration with the Singapore-based GFTN.
In the coming five years, this initiative is set to provide 7,000 students across the state with essential skills in technology, regulation, and business, preparing them for careers in financial technology.
The programme has already chosen its initial group of 375 students from a pool of over 3,800 applicants, representing more than 60 colleges throughout all districts of Odisha. This first group is expected to graduate by January 2026.