IIM Udaipur Hosts India Digital Conclave 2026

The Indian Institute of Management Udaipur hosted the third edition of D’Future – India Digital Conclave 2026 in Hyderabad, bringing together leaders from government, academia, industry, startups, and sports. The event focused on how digital technologies can drive technology-led growth, strengthen system resilience, and promote inclusive nation-building in India’s rapidly evolving economy.

Vision for technology-driven education

Opening the Conclave, Prof. Ashok Banerjee, Director of Indian Institute of Management Udaipur, highlighted the growing demand for professionals skilled in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. He outlined IIM Udaipur’s response through specialised MBA programmes in technology and a strong alignment of teaching and research with global industry needs. He also emphasised the institute’s strategy of engaging with major Indian cities to deepen academia–industry collaboration.

Digital governance and state-led innovation

The keynote address was delivered by Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana. Reflecting on a decade of the Digital India initiative, he highlighted Telangana’s technology-driven governance reforms, including optical fibre connectivity, digitised public services, and technology use in agriculture and rural development. He stressed that collaboration between government, academia, and independent institutions is essential for sustainable technology-led growth in emerging economies.

Artificial intelligence and societal value

Prof. Ramayya Krishnan, Dean Emeritus at Carnegie Mellon University, focused on creating business and societal value from artificial intelligence. He discussed AI-enabled multilingual communication, healthcare applications in rural areas, and AI-driven learning initiatives developed with support from the Gates Foundation. He underscored the need for workforce upskilling, AI governance, and redesigned organisational processes alongside technological adoption.

Important Facts for Exams

• Digital India aims to transform governance through digital infrastructure and services.
• Artificial intelligence has applications in governance, healthcare, education, and disaster response.
• Optical fibre connectivity is key to digital inclusion in rural areas.
• Public–private collaboration is central to India’s digital transformation.

Resilience, innovation, and future pathways

The Conclave featured panels on resilient and inclusive nation-building, corporate success stories from the Ministry of Railways on the GatiShakti programme, and student-led innovations in AI-powered supply chain solutions. A concluding fireside chat linked data analytics and technology with sports performance and grassroots inclusion. Through D’Future 2026, IIM Udaipur reaffirmed its role as a catalyst for dialogue and collaboration at the intersection of technology, policy, and society.