Modi inaugurates RBI’s Rs 169-crore data centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Odisha

Facility details and purpose

The RBI’s new facility spans 18.55 acres at Info Valley-II in Jatni, Bhubaneswar. It includes a data centre designed to host mission-critical payment and settlement systems, alongside a Cybersecurity Training Institute. The centre is intended to enhance the reach, efficiency, and reliability of digital financial services, providing a secure foundation for India’s technology-driven financial economy.

According to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, this is the second such RBI facility, following the one in Navi Mumbai. The Bhubaneswar site was chosen for its geographical stability, reducing exposure to natural disasters and geopolitical vulnerabilities.

Cybersecurity and training focus

The Cybersecurity Training Institute will serve as a dedicated platform for training, research, and capability development in cybersecurity and enterprise technology. The RBI stated that the facility is designed to meet the banking sector’s computing requirements while offering a resilient, scalable, and future-ready ecosystem.

Event and political context

The inauguration was attended by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, and other state and central officials. Majhi noted that this was Prime Minister Modi’s ninth visit to Odisha since the BJP government’s formation in the state in 2024.

The foundation stone for the facility was laid by then RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das on March 22, 2023.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

For founders and operators in India’s fintech and financial services sectors, the RBI’s new data centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute represent more than just infrastructure expansion. The facility provides a secure, resilient backbone for mission-critical systems, which could lower operational risks for startups reliant on payment gateways or settlement networks. The Cybersecurity Training Institute also opens doors for collaboration, particularly for smaller players lacking in-house security expertise. Additionally, the RBI’s choice of Bhubaneswar—a non-metro city—signals confidence in tier-2 locations, which may encourage other financial entities to explore similar expansions beyond traditional hubs like Mumbai or Bengaluru.

Key takeaways

• Indian financial institutions and fintech startups gain a new Tier-IV data centre to rely on for secure, resilient infrastructure, reducing operational risks for payment and settlement systems.
• The Cybersecurity Training Institute creates opportunities for partnerships in upskilling employees or co-developing security protocols, particularly for startups lacking in-house expertise.
• The choice of Bhubaneswar signals the RBI’s confidence in non-metro locations for critical infrastructure, which may encourage other financial entities to explore similar expansions.

Related on Lazyfounder

• Reserve Bank of India
• More business news