Gorakhpur University to Launch ₹1.5 Crore AI Lab Under PM‑USHA Scheme

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University is setting up a ₹1.5 crore state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) laboratory under the PM-USHA scheme, reported The Daily Jagran, a regional daily. The AI Lab is aimed at boosting advanced technical education, research, and innovation in Uttar Pradesh.

Key Highlights of the Initiative

• Project Cost: ₹1.5 crore (₹15 million)
• Institution: Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University
• Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA)
• Objective: Provide students and researchers access to cutting-edge AI technologies

About PM-USHA Scheme

• Launch: June 2023 by the Ministry of Education
• Purpose: Strengthen higher education institutions with accessibility, equity, accountability, affordability, and quality
• Alignment: Linked to NEP 2020, focusing on knowledge-driven institutions

Strategic Importance

• For Students: Hands-on exposure to AI tools, ML, and data science
• For Research: Enables advanced projects in automation and predictive analytics
• For Region: Positions Gorakhpur as a hub for emerging technologies
• For India: Supports national agenda of globally competitive universities

Potential Challenges

• Infrastructure readiness: internet, computing clusters, faculty training
• Talent retention in a Tier-2 city
• Scalability and sustained funding
• Integration with industry needs

Comparison: AI Labs in Indian Universities

University / Initiative	Funding	Focus Area	Strategic Impact
Gorakhpur University (PM-USHA)	₹1.5 crore	AI, ML, Data Science	Regional tech hub, NEP 2020 alignment
IIT Hyderabad AI Research Centre	₹20+ crore	Deep Learning, Robotics	National-level innovation leader
IIIT Delhi AI Lab	₹10 crore	Applied AI, Healthcare, NLP	Strong industry collaboration
Anna University AI Centre	₹5 crore	AI in engineering	State-level technical education boost

Why This Matters

This initiative is a milestone for democratizing AI education in India. By bringing advanced labs to state universities, the government ensures students outside metro cities gain equal access to frontier technologies. It’s about reshaping the talent pipeline for India’s digital future.