Jaipur | May 16, 2026
Technology and digital innovation are set to play the most critical role in realizing the Rajasthan government’s ambitious blueprint of ‘Developed Rajasthan @2047’. In line with this vision, the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan, Mr. V. Srinivas, on Saturday, May 16, 2026, conducted an extensive inspection tour of the Bhamashah Techno Hub, the state’s premier startup incubation center located in Jhalana, Jaipur. During his visit, he reviewed the operational systems of the incubation center and evaluated the technological advancements pioneered by the Department of Information Technology and Communication.
Techno Hub Offers World-Class Empowerment Platform: Chief Secretary
The Chief Secretary inspected the international-standard infrastructure provided to startups within the Techno Hub complex. He highly commended the facilities curated for young entrepreneurs, including plug-and-play sitting spaces, advanced tinkering labs, conference halls, a gymnasium, a cafeteria, and specialized ‘sleeping pods’ designed for innovators working extended hours. Addressing the young entrepreneurs, he reiterated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma, the state government is committed to transitioning Rajasthan into a leading digital state through excellence in governance and next-generation administrative reforms.
The iStart Model: Nurturing a Self-Reliant Rajasthan
Terming the Information Technology Department’s flagship ‘iStart’ initiative a highly successful and revolutionary model, the Chief Secretary issued key directives to senior officials:
- Scaling Up: Startups should not just be incubated at the ideation stage but must be curated and scaled to the next level to maximize large-scale employment generation.
- Academic Synergy: Engagement with regional engineering colleges must be amplified, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education should be promoted at the grassroots level.
- Institutional Linkages: Direct channels must be created between startups and various government departments so that emerging entrepreneurs can design digital solutions for real-world administrative challenges.
Chief Secretary Commends Unique Tech Concepts
During his open interaction session, Mr. Srinivas engaged with several emerging startup founders to understand their core technologies and operations:
- Office Glider & CoasterBox: He evaluated the operational models of Office Glider (a transit and mobility startup) and CoasterBox (a sustainable fashion venture), along with Intent Metric, which specializes in performance marketing.
- Virtual Reality (VR) Benchmarks: At the AVGC Incubation Lab, the Chief Secretary personally experienced a unique spectacles-based display technology developed by VR startup VYUGXR.
- Social & Niche Ecosystems: He discussed challenges and growth trajectories with representatives from Career Mitra (EdTech), Femease (Women’s HealthTech), Swachh (Waste Management), and Kingdom of Chess (SportsTech). He also visited the Tinkering Lab to inspect 3D printing technologies and interacted with students from the Rajasthan Knowledge Corporation Limited (RKCL).
A Network of Over 8,000 Startups Reaping Benefits
Highlighting the institutional strength of the program, Dr. Ravi Kumar Surpur, Secretary of the Department of Information Technology and Communication, noted that the iStart initiative is systematically building a robust physical and structural environment. By offering comprehensive mentorship, funding guidance, and institutional networking, the initiative is acting as a catalyst for the state’s economic growth.
Elaborating on the technical reach, Mr. Himanshu Gupta, Special Secretary and Commissioner of the department, explained that iStart operates on a highly efficient ‘Hub and Spoke’ model. The network currently supports over 8,000 registered startups and features 9 specialized iStart Nests, while its grassroot Launchpads have extended the program’s reach to the district levels.
Disclaimer: This news report is drafted based on official press statements and event records released by the Department of Information Technology and Communication, Government of Rajasthan, on May 16, 2026. For official policy frameworks, funding guidelines, or current criteria regarding the iStart program, readers are requested to verify details on the official government portal (istart.rajasthan.gov.in).
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