Context

• In a transformative boost to AI, Uttar Pradesh is set to become a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) with a Rs 10,732 crore investment aimed at transforming Lucknow into India’s first AI City. 

Key Highlights

• Massive Investment in AI Infrastructure: The Rs 10,732 crore investment will fund 10,000 Graphics Processing Units, (GPU) multi-modal language models, and the establishment of an AI innovation center in Lucknow.  
• This investment is 67% higher than any other technology infrastructure in the country. 
• Pre‑existing AI ecosystem: Home to the AI Centre of Excellence at IIIT Lucknow, which supports over 15 AI/ML start-ups and a rich academic environment with 75,000 tech professionals and universities like IIM, BBDU, Amity, and IIIT itself

Other Facets

Infrastructure Boost

• Grade‑A commercial and flexible office space, plug‑and‑play systems, tech labs, data centers, and integrated housing complexes designed to support a "walk‑to‑work" model and catalyze innovation will be developed by the State Government.

Public Private Collaboration

• The state’s nodal agency, Uttar Pradesh Electronics Corporation Ltd., has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) for developers to design, build, and operate the AI City under UPEMP and IT/ITeS policy frameworks.

AI Integration

• AI Pragya initiative: As part of AI Pragya Initiative training to over 10 lakh individuals — including youth, gram pradhans, teachers, government staff, and farmers — in AI, machine learning, data analytics, and cybersecurity, backed by global tech firms like Microsoft, Intel, Google, and Guvi.
• AI Traffic Management System: Lucknow will also see the implementation of a high-tech AI-based traffic management system, similar to the one being developed in Varanasi. 

AI in Agriculture Sector

• The UP Agris project which will connect 10 lakh farmers to AI-enabled services such as smart irrigation, drone mapping, pest detection, and digital marketplaces

AI in Governance

• AI tools are being used in governance (DBT transparency), law enforcement (facial recognition), healthcare (e.g., breast cancer screening), and agriculture across Uttar Pradesh

AI in Security and Healthcare

• AI-powered systems such as CCTV surveillance, facial recognition, number plate tracking, and SOS alert systems have been integrated across 17 municipal corporations and Gautam Buddh Nagar.  

Context

• Senior IAS officer Shashi Prakash Goyal has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, following the completion of the tenure of the current Chief Secretary, Manoj Kumar Singh.  
• Goyal will serve until his retirement in January 2027.  

About Chief Secretary

• The Chief Secretary (CS) is the highest-ranking bureaucrat in the state, serving as the administrative head of the Secretariat and the principal advisor to the Chief Minister and the Cabinet.
• The Chief Secretary is ex‑officio head of the State Civil Services Board and coordinates departments, policy implementation, and cabinet affairs

Appointment

• The Chief Secretary is appointed by the Chief Minister (in the name of the Governor of the state) from senior IAS officers based on factors like seniority, merit, and trust.  

Powers and Functions

• Advisor to Chief Minister: Acts as the principal advisor on matters of state administration and provides guidance on policy issues. 
• Secretary to the Cabinet: Prepares the Cabinet meeting agenda, records proceedings, and oversees decision implementation. 
• Head of Civil Service: Oversees appointments, transfers, and promotions within the state civil service and maintains the morale of civil servants. 
• Chief Coordinator: Ensures inter-departmental coordination, presides over coordination committees, and resolves disputes between departments. 
• Head of Certain Departments: Directly manages key departments such as General Administration, Personnel, and Planning. 
• Crisis Administrator: Leads relief operations during crises like floods, droughts, and communal disturbances, representing the state government during emergencies. 

Context

• The Uttar Pradesh Forest Department has begun deploying “Gaj Mitra” volunteers in Bijnor district, particularly in villages near Corbett National Park, to manage increasing elephant incursions into local communities.

About the News

• It is modeled after the successful “Bagh Mitra” program (tiger watchers) operational in Dudhwa, Pilibhit, and Amangarh Tiger Reserves.
• This initiative trains villagers to act as the first informers when elephants enter human habitation areas to stop Human Wildlife Conflict.
• Though the volunteers will be unpaid to preserve the voluntary ethos, but they will receive training and essential resources from the Forest Department.

Target

• The goal is to have at least one Gaj Mitra per village across approximately 300 villages identified as high-risk zones for Human Elephant Conflict.

Other Related Context

• Earlier deployments of Gaj Mitras included Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuary
• Where the forest department trained around 100 villagers to track elephant movement from Nepal, coordinate cross-border alerts via WhatsApp, and alert local communities. 
• These volunteers helped prevent human casualties and reduce crop damage.

Outreach of the Programme

• The UP government has now expanded Gaj Mitra training and deployment across all affected forest ranges in regions like Dudhwa, South Kheri, and Pilibhit, partnering with World Wildlife Fund for volunteer training.

Significance of the Programme

• It will lead to proactive community-led monitoring which will help in reducing human‑elephant encounters, protecting both people and animals.
• Each volunteer acts as a crucial bridge between rural communities and forest authorities, improving response times in potential conflict situations.