NITI Aayog unveils framework to guide states on sustainable data centres

NITI Aayog has introduced the 'Data Centre Evaluation Framework to Help States Plan for Sustainable Growth', developed through its Frontier Tech Hub, to provide states with structured guidance on establishing data centre facilities. The framework offers a roadmap for aligning data centre development with sustainability objectives, addressing both infrastructure needs and environmental concerns.

As India's digital economy expands, demand for robust data centre capacity has intensified across regions. The framework equips state governments with evaluation criteria and planning tools to assess project viability, environmental impact, and long-term operational sustainability. States are being encouraged to adopt these guidelines when formulating data centre policies and investment strategies.

The initiative reflects broader efforts by the central government to balance rapid technological advancement with environmental stewardship. By providing structured frameworks, NITI Aayog seeks to standardize best practices across states and ensure that data centre growth supports India's sustainability commitments.

The framework is expected to facilitate informed decision-making at the state level, enabling administrators to evaluate proposed projects against comprehensive sustainability metrics. Officials anticipate this will accelerate the development of data centre infrastructure while maintaining environmental standards across the country.