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India data centre capacity jumps to 1,500 MW, says Jitin Prasada

India’s data centre capacity has grown more than fourfold over the past five years, reaching over 1,500 MW in 2025 from around 375 MW in 2020, according to Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, the minister said the expansion reflects the government’s sustained push to strengthen digital infrastructure and expand access to technology across the country. The growth aligns with the broader digital vision of Narendra Modi, aimed at increasing the adoption and accessibility of technology.

Major hubs lead capacity expansion

Among key regions, Mumbai and Navi Mumbai account for the largest share of operational data centre capacity at approximately 790 MW. Chennai follows with about 305 MW, while Bengaluru, Hyderabad and the Delhi-NCR/Noida region contribute 182 MW, 152 MW and 76 MW, respectively. Other cities, including Pune and Kolkata, hold a relatively smaller share of the capacity.

The minister said the government is facilitating the development of data centres nationwide to support the delivery of digital services and meet rising demand driven by cloud computing, data localisation requirements and increasing internet usage.

Submarine cables and policy push support growth

India is also strengthening its connectivity infrastructure, with four submarine cable systems currently under commissioning by telecom operators. These include projects led by Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Sify Technologies, with landing stations primarily located in Mumbai and Chennai.

Additionally, three more submarine cable systems are in the planning stage, with proposals submitted to the Department of Telecommunications. However, the government has no immediate plans to establish new sub-sea gateways.

The policy environment has also played a role in driving investment. The Reserve Bank of India mandates that payment system data be stored domestically, supporting the growth of local data infrastructure.

Prasada said ongoing initiatives are focused on building sufficient data storage capacity within the country while enhancing cybersecurity and ensuring a trusted digital ecosystem, as India continues to scale its digital economy.