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Ananta Cloud: Powering digital self-reliance through a sovereign cloud ecosystem

Ananta Cloud: Powering digital self-reliance through a sovereign cloud ecosystem

  • 02-09-2025
Ananta Cloud: Powering digital self-reliance through a sovereign cloud ecosystem

To make cloud adoption easier for all user segments, the Ananta Cloud Console provides a self-service interface for provisioning, monitoring, and scaling cloud resources. Whether a government agency digitising citizen services or a startup creating the next innovation, Ananta ensures that cloud solutions are accessible, secure, and easy to manage.

In an era where data is the new oil, the need for secure, scalable, and sovereign digital infrastructure is more critical than ever. Recognising this, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) has launched Ananta Cloud, India’s sovereign cloud platform.

More than a technological initiative, Ananta Cloud represents a strategic commitment to building a future-ready India, aligned with the Government of India’s vision of a digitally self-reliant Bharat.

Ananta Cloud is designed to empower Indian enterprises, government departments, public sector undertakings, educational institutions, and citizens. Hosted in STPI’s state-of-the-art data centres, it offers secure and high-performance cloud services and ensures all data remains within Indian borders and under Indian jurisdiction. 

The focus on data sovereignty not only ensures compliance with domestic regulations but also strengthens digital autonomy across critical sectors, including governance, healthcare, education, and public services.

Ananta Cloud is a robust platform built on four fundamental pillars, namely Security, Scalability, Innovation, and Collaboration. Its strong security framework ensures data privacy and regulatory compliance, making it an ideal choice for sensitive government applications.

The platform's scalable architecture allows it to adapt seamlessly to changing workloads and business demands. Ananta also fosters innovation by providing access to cutting-edge technologies like AI/ML tools and analytics platforms. 

Ananta Cloud offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to meet diverse digital requirements. Its Compute Services enable the deployment of virtual machines, containerized applications through Kubernetes, and serverless computing environments, supporting both traditional workloads and next-generation applications.

For reliable and secure connectivity, Ananta Network Services provide essential tools like Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs), Elastic IPs, Load Balancers, and DNS management, ensuring seamless data flow, high availability, and efficient traffic distribution.

Furthermore, Ananta’s Storage, Backup, and Disaster Recovery Services guarantee that mission-critical data is always protected and recoverable. Organizations can leverage Storage as a Service (StaaS), Backup Services, and Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) to maintain operational continuity even during disruptions. In today's data-driven world, the ability to derive actionable insights is a significant competitive advantage. 

Ananta empowers users to make informed decisions, identify trends, and develop intelligent applications, supporting everything from basic data integration to advanced predictive modeling for both small datasets and enterprise-level information.

Managing cloud infrastructure can be complex, which is why Ananta offers Managed Services to assist with cloud adoption, migration, operations management, compliance, and real-time monitoring. Additionally, Migration as a Service enables seamless transitions from on-premise, public, or hybrid cloud environments with automated validation and minimal downtime. These services help organisations focus on innovation rather than infrastructure.

Security is further reinforced through Advanced Security, which include Identity Management Services, firewalls, encryption, anti-DDoS protection, access control, vulnerability scanning, and intrusion prevention. These features ensure robust protection against evolving cyber threats.

For developers building data-intensive applications, Managed Database as a Service (DBaaS) simplifies backend operations while ensuring scalability and performance. The platform supports a variety of workloads and data types, all accessible via the Ananta portal.

To make cloud adoption easier for all user segments, the Ananta Cloud Console provides a self-service interface for provisioning, monitoring, and scaling cloud resources. Whether a government agency digitising citizen services or a startup creating the next innovation, Ananta ensures that cloud solutions are accessible, secure, and easy to manage.

Behind Ananta Cloud is STPI, an institution with over three decades of experience in catalysing India’s IT and innovation journey. Established in 1991, STPI has played a pivotal role in enhancing software exports and supporting startups, particularly in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. Today, STPI operates 68 centres and 24 Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoEs), offering holistic support for product development, IP creation, and market access.

Ananta Cloud marks the next leap in this journey. It reflects STPI’s vision to build a secure, inclusive, and scalable sovereign digital infrastructure. Whether a government body modernising services, a healthcare provider handling sensitive data, or a startup deploying AI-based innovations, Ananta Cloud stands ready to be a digital foundation.

(The author is DG, STPI; Views expressed are personal)

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PNB opens its first startup branch in Delhi partners with STPI

Date: August 28, 2025

PNB opens its first startup branch in Delhi partners with STPI

"We already had opened startup cells at different locations in the country, but today we have opened the full-fledged startup branch, and this concept we are going to do it in and implement it in the major centers in the country," said Ashok Chandra, MD and CEO, PNB.

Punjab National Bank (PNB) opened its first startup-centric branch in New Delhi to support Indian entrepreneurs and innovations through its services.

Simultaneously, the bank has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) to facilitate Indian startups with financial literacy and awareness, banking service needs, and registration with some financial institutions, it said in a statement on Wednesday, August 27.

"We already had opened startup cells at different locations in the country, but today we have opened the full-fledged startup branch, and this concept we are going to do it in and implement it in the major centers in the country," said Ashok Chandra, MD and CEO, PNB.

Chandra said that STPI is going to play an important role because it has a good ecosystem and necessary infrastructure.

"We will leverage it and we will find out the way that how we can provide the financial literacy to startups," he said.

He lauded the government for the support they have been providing to the startups, particularly the credit guarantees of up to Rs 20 crore.

"It is exclusive for the startups. So now all those measures are in place, but that has to be brought out, and we should explain it to startup community," the CEO said. "PNB will play an important role. So going forward, you will see that many more branches like this we are going to open in the pan India."

"We are going to engage with STPI, and we are also going to engage with the various incubator centers in the country... We are also in touch with IIT Delhi, IIIT, and other institutions that are promoting the startups. I think (PNB) bank is well poised to take care of its financial requirements," he added.

He doesn't see "any big challenges" in giving loans to startups. "Wherever there are viable proposals, definitely we can give the loan up to Rs 20 crore."

DG, STPI, Arvind Kumar, told ANI that the MoU signed today aims to facilitate startups and innovate new products.

"Somewhere we found that involvement of banking system was not much in the startup domain. We have investors, have mentors, have incubators, have accelerators. I think this will be the first of its kind model in the country, Wherein banking, Punjab National Bank will play a major role in the whole startup ecosystem...," Kumar added. he loan up to Rs 20 crore."

Asked about the impacts of Trump tariffs on the Indian economy, PNB CEO Chandra said it is too early to comment on the consequences.

"We need to examine this entire impact and how long it is going to continue. I think let us wait for some time and then you see the impact," he supplemented. In the same breath, he also noted that he doesn't see a major challenge as we advance.

"Whenever any such crisis has come world over, whether the 2008 crisis or the COVID, I think India has come out very, very successfully. We have grabbed the opportunity. So whenever such challenges come, I think a country like India, with the leadership that we have, I think we are going to seize that opportunity and come out successfully," he hoped.

PNB signs MoU with STPI, opens New Startup Branch

Date: August 28, 2025

PNB signs MoU with STPI, opens New Startup Branch

PSU Bank, Punjab National Bank inaugurated a new startup branch at Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi. Further, an MoU was signed between PNB and STPI to extend financial support to eligible startups.

New Delhi, 28 August 2025: Public sector lender Punjab National Bank, in a significant boost to financial outreach, has inaugurated a new startup branch at Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi. The inauguration of the new branch is in line with the Startup India initiative, and it aims to promote entrepreneurship and support innovation by providing comprehensive banking solutions.

The branch was inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Guest Sh. Arvind Kumar, Director General, STPI, & Sh. Ashok Chandra, MD & CEO, PNB, in the presence of Sh. Subodh Sachan, Director STPI; Sh. Ankesh Kumar, Additional Director STPI; and other senior officials of PNB and STPI.

Further, an MoU was signed between PNB and STPI to extend financial support to eligible startups. The main objective of STPI (Software Technology Parks of India) is to promote the development and export of software and IT-enabled services (ITeS), foster innovation and product development, and create a conducive ecosystem for the IT industry.

 

Supply, Installation, Testing, Commissioning and Training of Network Devices (Routers, Layer-3 Switches and Layer-2 Switches)

STPI invites Tender under Two Bid Systems (Technical Bid & Commercial Bid) for Supply, Installation, Testing, Commissioning and Training of Network Devices - Routers, LAYER-3
Switches and LAYER-2 Switches at various STPI Locations as mentioned in the Annexure-A of the RFP document.

Fast-tracking India’s mobility through the MOTION CoE

Fast-tracking India’s mobility through the MOTION CoE

  • 19-08-2025
Fast-tracking India’s mobility through the MOTION CoE

India's mobility sector is evolving at an unprecedented pace. As the global automotive industry pivots toward smarter, cleaner, and more connected transport systems, India is positioning itself not only as a manufacturing leader but also as a global innovation hub. Driving this transformation is the rise of Autonomous, Connected, Electric, and Shared (ACES) mobility — an area that is witnessing robust support from both industry and Government. One of the initiatives in this space is the MOTION Centre of Entrepreneurship (CoE) in Pune. A flagship initiative launched by the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) under the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) and supported by the Government of Maharashtra, MOTION CoE serves as a sector-focused innovation and incubation hub dedicated to ACES start-ups. Located at Electronic Sadan III, MIDC Bhosari, Pune, this 10,000 sq. ft. facility is equipped with cutting-edge labs, a 75-seater co-working space, and advanced prototyping infrastructure. It is backed by a powerful consortium including Tata Motors, Kinetic Group, Intel, MathWorks, Visteon, ARAI, SAE India, TiE Pune, and the College of Engineering Pune.

The Centre offers more than just infrastructure. It delivers a full-stack support system, combining expert mentorship, physical and virtual incubation, funding opportunities through the Start-up India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), assistance with Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), legal and financial services, and connections with investors and industry stakeholders. As a result, MOTION CoE has emerged as a key enabler of India's next-gen mobility vision. To date, the CoE has incubated 55 start-ups, surpassing its initial goal of 51. These ventures have collectively achieved a valuation of over `465 crore, generated over `34 crore in revenue, attracted over `23 crore in external funding, created more than 500 jobs, and launched 82 products and 128 prototypes. They have also filed 67 IP applications, of which 40 have already been granted. Among these, five standout start-ups exemplify the CoE's transformative potential. Attron Automotive is creating high-efficiency electric propulsion systems for two and three-wheelers. Their product portfolio includes integrated IPM PMSM motors and advanced controllers built on the proprietary Eta framework, designed to deliver superior performance and energy efficiency. Recognised by Inc42 as a top mobility start-up to watch, Attron's focus on R&D has resulted in one technology patent and two design registrations. With customisation, modularity, and performance at its core, Attron is poised to play a critical role in India's electric mobility transition. Combat Robotics is leveraging autonomous mobility to develop rugged unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) specifically designed for defence, disaster response, and public safety. These vehicles feature adaptive motion technology, night vision capabilities, and remote operation features, making them invaluable in high-risk environments. Combat Robotics has secured a project from Nagpur MahaMetro for railway track monitoring and has been selected in the first phase of the Indian Railways Innovation Challenge. As India scales up its electric vehicle ecosystem, energy storage becomes a critical enabler. Coulomb Li-Tech addresses this with its in-house development of lithium-ion batteries, battery management systems (BMS), electric vehicle (EV) chargers, and a cloud-based analytics platform. Its comprehensive tech stack supports diverse mobility and storage applications, making Coulomb a key contributor to India's energy resilience and EV adoption goals. Kairus Energies is innovating at the intersection of mobility, defence, and aerospace. Its advanced lithium-ion battery modules are engineered for extreme conditions, featuring a proprietary HITCH Tech™ thermal management system that ensures rapid charging, fire suppression, and performance optimisation.

Kairus has filed one technology patent, secured two design patents, and deployed 100+ kWh of storage systems. As electric vehicles gain traction, scalable charging infrastructure is crucial. Eidikos Business Enterprises is meeting this need with its Level 2 AC charging kiosks, specifically designed for e-bikes, e-rickshaws, and electric cars. Their hybrid model includes both Captive Charging and Charging-as-a-Service (CAAS). Their composite charging stations have been granted design registration, and their distributed deployment model is well-suited for urban and peri-urban areas in India.The journey of these start-ups reflects the broader impact MOTION CoE is making in the ACES space. By bringing together infrastructure, mentorship, funding, and real-world deployment opportunities, the CoE has emerged as a model platform for sectoral innovation. It aligns seamlessly with national initiatives, such as the Automotive Mission Plan 2047, which aims to position India as a global leader in sustainable, tech-driven mobility. As these ventures continue to scale, they are not only addressing India's transportation needs but also building solutions that are globally relevant. In doing so, MOTION CoE is proving that the future of mobility in India is about vision, innovation, and impact.

The writer is Director General, Software Technology Parks of India

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