India Unveils 'Project Suraksha 2030' for AI-Driven National Security

India's Ministry of Home Affairs launched 'Project Suraksha 2030' on Thursday, February 5, 2026, to enhance security with AI policing.

National Digital Security & Intelligence Grid Initiated

The Union Home Ministry initiated 'Project Suraksha 2030,' a comprehensive national digital policing program, in New Delhi on Thursday, February 5, 2026. This initiative, budgeted at approximately INR 75,000 crores (equivalent to approximately $9.05 billion USD based on February 5, 2026, exchange rates), aims to integrate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics into public safety and internal security operations across the country. According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the project targets the establishment of a National Digital Security & Intelligence Grid (NDSIG) over the next five years, covering 100 major urban centers by 2030.

The program encompasses the deployment of approximately 1.2 million smart surveillance cameras equipped with facial recognition capabilities, alongside the establishment of 15 regional data centers. These facilities are designed to process an estimated 50 petabytes of data annually, as reported by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). This infrastructure is intended to provide real-time threat detection and forensic analysis to state police forces and central security agencies. Industry estimates from NASSCOM suggest that the project will create approximately 250,000 direct and indirect jobs in the technology and security sectors by 2028.

Government Position and Implementation Timeline

The government's official position, articulated in a statement by the Home Ministry on Thursday, February 5, 2026, emphasizes the necessity of leveraging technology to counter evolving internal security threats. 'Project Suraksha 2030' is expected to be implemented in three phases, with Phase 1 focusing on infrastructure rollout in 25 Tier-1 cities by late 2027. Subsequent phases will extend the network to additional urban and sensitive regions. Confirmed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the project includes robust cybersecurity protocols developed in conjunction with the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) to safeguard collected data from breaches and unauthorized access.

Funding for the initiative will be sourced through a combination of central government allocations and state contributions, with approximately 60% of the expenditure borne by the Union Government. This information was confirmed during a parliamentary briefing by a Home Ministry official. The project’s timeline specifies that tenders for infrastructure development and AI software solutions will be issued within the next six months, with initial pilot deployments projected to commence by January 2027.

Public Scrutiny and Market Impact

Reaction to 'Project Suraksha 2030' has involved scrutiny from various stakeholders. Civil liberties organizations, such as the Centre for Policy Research, have raised concerns regarding data privacy and potential surveillance misuse. A report published by the Centre for Policy Research on January 28, 2026, outlined potential challenges in regulating the vast data collection aspects of such an initiative, recommending the establishment of an independent oversight body. Opposition leaders have indicated calls for a comprehensive parliamentary debate on the project's implications for individual freedoms and financial transparency. Official details regarding specific privacy frameworks governing data usage under NDSIG were not immediately available on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

From a market perspective, technology firms specializing in AI, surveillance, and cybersecurity are positioned to benefit. Shares of major Indian IT services companies with public sector project experience, such as Tech Solutions India Ltd. and Data Secure Corp., saw an average increase of 3.8% in early trading hours on Thursday, February 5, 2026, following the announcement, according to market data from the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). The procurement of AI-driven solutions is expected to drive research and development investments in India's domestic tech sector, potentially increasing its market share in the global AI applications segment by an estimated 2-3 percentage points over the next three years, based on projections from a recent Gartner industry report dated December 2025.

Key Takeaways

• Large-Scale Digital Policing: India's Ministry of Home Affairs launched 'Project Suraksha 2030' on Thursday, February 5, 2026, a $9.05 billion initiative for AI-driven security.
• Extensive Infrastructure: The project includes 1.2 million smart cameras and 15 regional data centers to process 50 petabytes of data annually.
• Economic Stimulus: NASSCOM estimates approximately 250,000 new jobs in tech and security sectors by 2028.
• Privacy Concerns: Civil liberties groups have expressed concerns regarding data privacy, advocating for independent oversight.
• Market Response: Indian tech stocks increased by an average of 3.8% on Thursday, February 5, 2026, reflecting positive investor sentiment.

People Also Ask

• What is 'Project Suraksha 2030'?

  'Project Suraksha 2030' is a national digital policing initiative launched by India's Ministry of Home Affairs on February 5, 2026. It aims to integrate advanced AI and data analytics into public safety operations across 100 Indian cities by 2030 with an investment of approximately $9.05 billion USD.

• How will 'Project Suraksha 2030' impact security?

  The project intends to enhance internal security through the deployment of AI-powered surveillance cameras and regional data centers. This infrastructure will enable real-time threat detection and forensic analysis, supporting state police forces and central security agencies in their operations, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

• What are the financial implications of this project?

  'Project Suraksha 2030' is budgeted at approximately INR 75,000 crores ($9.05 billion USD). Funding will be a mix of central government allocations (60%) and state contributions. The initiative is expected to stimulate the domestic tech sector, potentially increasing its global AI market share.

• What are the main concerns regarding 'Project Suraksha 2030'?

  Primary concerns revolve around data privacy and the potential for surveillance misuse. Civil liberties organizations, including the Centre for Policy Research, have called for robust regulatory frameworks and independent oversight to safeguard individual freedoms against extensive data collection.