Campus Times |Lucknow

As part of the initiative, the Higher Education Department will extend financial support to undergraduate and postgraduate students for securing patents related to AI-based innovations and startups. A provision of ₹10 crore has been earmarked specifically to assist students in covering patent-related expenses. Officials said the move is designed to equip students with world-class AI competencies and develop globally competitive, AI-trained human resources within the state. Universities and colleges are already witnessing growing participation of students in AI training programs, innovation projects, and startup development. With government-backed certification and patent support, students are expected to gain global recognition and attract better investment opportunities to scale their ventures.

In addition, the Higher Education Department will reimburse patent filing fees for students from government and aided colleges. The reimbursement policy is expected to motivate more students to engage in research-driven innovation and formalize their ideas through intellectual property rights.

UP AI Mission

In a major announcement, the state government has also launched the UP AI Mission for the first time, allocating ₹225 crore to strengthen AI infrastructure and training. The mission aims to provide advanced technological training to youth, thereby increasing their employment opportunities in private sector companies.

Furthermore, the government has allocated ₹32 crore to establish India Data Labs in 49 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), a step intended to expand access to practical, industry-oriented AI and data skills training across the state.