Full Breakdown
Modi Inaugurates RBI Data Centre and Cybersecurity Institute, Calls for Modern Defence of India’s Banking System
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 25, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Reserve Bank of India’s Rs 169-crore data centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute at Infovalley-II in Jatni, near Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The facilities will host mission-critical payment and settlement systems and build expertise in cybersecurity, AI and emerging technologies.
Background & Context
The data centre’s foundation stone was laid on March 22, 2023 by then RBI governor Shaktikanta Das. The complex spans 18.55 acres and has Tier IV certification for infrastructure resilience. Its launch follows government programmes—Jan Dhan, MUDRA, PM SVANidhi and PM Vishwakarma—that expanded digital banking to previously unbanked populations.
Data & Statistics
- Cost: Rs 169 crore.
- Site area: 18.55 acres.
- Security deployment for the inauguration: ? 2,100 personnel.
Official Statements & Responses
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called the centre a “strategic asset” that will house RBI’s RTGS and NEFT rails, enhancing financial stability.
- Odisha Governor Brajmohan Ram and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the project will help shift the region from a mineral-based economy to a hub for semiconductors, electronics and advanced computing.
Why It Matters / Impact
The facilities aim to reduce systemic risk by modernising India’s digital payments backbone, protecting the economy from cyber-enabled attacks. Expanded training capacity is expected to create a skilled workforce capable of defending against sophisticated threats, supporting the “Viksit Bharat” vision of balanced, technology-driven growth.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Jan Dhan account figures vary: some sources cite “around 60 crore,” others “59 crore,” while a separate report states “600 million” accounts. The precise number remains unverified.
- Detailed specifications of the cybersecurity curriculum and the rollout timeline have not been disclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Nowadays, wars are not fought with weapons alone. A nation can also be weakened by attacking its economy. And as India grows economically stronger, we must protect our banking system from cyber looters and cyber terrorists,” — PM Modi
- “The past decade was about taking banking to those deprived of it. The coming decade is about making banking more efficient and reliable,” — PM Modi
- “Development for us means balanced growth of India and opportunities for villages and small towns,” — PM Modi
What's Next
The RBI data centre is slated to become fully operational in the coming months, integrating critical payment systems and supporting additional digital financial services nationwide. The Cybersecurity Training Institute will launch specialised courses for government officials and private-sector professionals, though exact start dates have not been announced.