THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, FEBRUARY 4, 2026

Odisha has taken a decisive stride towards establishing itself as India’s next major hub for FinTech, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) with the announcement of the inaugural Black Swan Summit India, scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar on February 5 and 6, 2026. Organised by the Government of Odisha under the flagship BharatNetra initiative in collaboration with the Singapore-based Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), the summit is poised to catalyse skill development, investment inflows, job creation and global partnerships in emerging digital sectors.

The summit, which will be graced by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, underscores Odisha’s growing role as a driver of India’s digital and economic transformation. With participation expected from more than 1,700 delegates representing 24 countries and nearly 100 distinguished speakers from five continents, the event aims to foster execution-driven dialogue among global policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, technology leaders, startups, investors and academic experts.

The BharatNetra initiative reflects Odisha’s long-term vision to ensure technology-led growth that translates innovation into inclusive development, sustainable employment opportunities and enhanced global competitiveness. Unlike conventional digital transformation models that focus solely on technology adoption, Odisha’s approach prioritises measurable outcomes such as workforce readiness, enterprise development, and capital generation.

Highlighting the state’s ambitious roadmap, Vishal Kumar Dev, Additional Chief Secretary, Electronics & Information Technology, Government of Odisha, said, “Odisha is not preparing to merely participate in the global digital economy; we intend to help shape it, as a frontline contributor to Viksit Bharat. Our focus is on operationalising AI and digital finance in ways that deliver real economic value and long-term institutional capacity.”

Odisha’s digital growth strategy builds upon India’s strong digital public infrastructure by translating national advantages into regionally driven execution models with global relevance. The state is leveraging AI, FinTech and InsurTech as workforce multipliers, particularly in emerging urban and semi-urban centres, while positioning Bhubaneswar as a competitive destination for global capability centres and long-term technology investments.

The foundation of BharatNetra was laid during the visit of Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to Odisha in January 2025. Since then, the collaboration with GFTN has rapidly transitioned from policy discussions to actionable outcomes, strengthening Odisha’s integration into trusted global digital finance ecosystems. GFTN’s global network spanning over 130 countries offers Odisha direct access to innovators, investors and policymakers, accelerating ecosystem development in FinTech, InsurTech and AI.

Emphasising the strategic importance of the partnership, Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO of GFTN, said, “Odisha’s partnership with GFTN through BharatNetra offers a blueprint for how state governments can strengthen national competitiveness by connecting to the global digital economy. Through our global network, Odisha is gaining direct access to innovation, investment and policymaking expertise. The outcomes are already visible, with students acquiring world-class fintech skills, startups gaining mentorship and funding opportunities, and Bhubaneswar emerging as an eastern gateway for Asia-Pacific financial innovation.”

A key highlight of the summit is its strong focus on workforce readiness and financial inclusion through FinTech and InsurTech solutions. Recognising that nearly 69 percent of Odisha’s population falls within the working-age bracket, the state has aligned its educational and certification frameworks with industry-driven requirements. As part of this initiative, the first batch of the BharatNetra FinTech and InsurTech hybrid training programme, developed in collaboration with the National University of Singapore’s Asian Institute of Digital Finance and GFTN, graduated today.

Launched on July 31, 2025, the programme commenced its first cohort in September with 385 participants, of whom 195 students have successfully completed the course. Global and domestic industry partners are actively recruiting graduates, with additional employment opportunities being facilitated through a job fair organised alongside the summit. Outstanding performers from the programme will also receive international exposure, including participation in Japan under the MUFG Young Innovators initiative and representation at the Singapore FinTech Festival 2026. Already, seven students have been selected under the MUFG Young Innovators programme and six under the Singapore Pathfinders programme.

Further strengthening the talent-to-employment pipeline, the Black Swan Summit will witness the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding with leading FinTech and InsurTech organisations such as Bajaj General Insurance, Advanze Tech, Annapurna Tech Universe, ESTPL, ProgCap, Propelld, ShovelTech Solutions, Spice Money, Surfin, Symbo Insurtech, Universal Pensions and Vayana. These collaborations aim to bridge policy frameworks with real-world implementation while nurturing a robust digital innovation ecosystem in Odisha.

Global and national industry partners are actively interviewing graduates, with additional hiring opportunities being facilitated through a job fair organised alongside the Black Swan Summit. Top performers will gain global exposure, including opportunities to represent India in Japan under the MUFG Young Innovators initiative and at the Singapore FinTech Festival 2026. So far, seven students have been selected under the MUFG Young Innovators programme, while six students have been chosen under the Singapore Pathfinders programme.

The graduation ceremony and partnership announcements were attended by Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Parliamentary Affairs and Electronics & Information Technology, and Suryabanshi Suraj, Minister for Higher Education, Sports and Youth Services, reflecting the state’s integrated governance approach toward digital transformation.

Launched on 31 July 2025, the programme commenced its first cohort in September with 385 participants, out of which 195 students have successfully completed the course.

As Odisha prepares to host the Black Swan Summit India, the state is positioning itself as a globally connected centre for AI-driven FinTech, InsurTech and digital capability services. Reiterating the broader vision, Dev said, “Odisha is stepping forward to demonstrate how inclusive, technology-driven governance, future-ready talent, global collaboration and trusted digital infrastructure can deliver prosperity at scale for India.”