Hyderabad to Get India's First Green Skills and Applied AI Centre of Excellence
The Telangana State government, in collaboration with the 1M1B Foundation, Microsoft, and the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology’s (MeitY) Startup Hub, announced on 17 July 2026 the establishment of India's first Green Skills and Applied AI Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad.
The new facility is scheduled to begin its operations by August 2026. According to the partners, the centre will focus on AI-driven green pharma, sustainable manufacturing, and developing a future-ready workforce through digital learning, mentorship, and capacity-building programmes.
The Centre of Excellence is set to feature a specialized green pharma track, making it the first of its kind in the country. Under the collaboration agreement, the facility will be actively operated by the 1M1B Foundation. Microsoft, under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, will support the centre by providing access to advanced AI technologies, digital learning resources, employee mentorship, innovation challenges, and specialized capacity-building programmes.
Telangana IT Minister D Sridhar Babu spoke on the occasion, noting that the proposed Centre of Excellence aligns closely with the State’s broader vision of developing a future-ready workforce.
Manav Subodh, the Founder and CEO of the 1M1B Foundation, stated that through the new Centre, the organization would prepare local youth to use artificial intelligence to transform the green pharma sector. He added that the initiative would also work to advance sustainable manufacturing and build the necessary workforce for an AI-powered green economy.
Rajiv Kumar, the Managing Director and President of the Microsoft India Development Centre, stated that Microsoft’s goal is to equip youth—especially women and first-generation learners—with applied AI and green skills. He noted that the initiative will also focus on connecting these individuals with practical internships and employment opportunities in the green economy.
