Tech Saksham- Capacity-Building Workshop Marks a New Push for Digital Transformation in J&K

A landmark capacity-building workshop jointly organised by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and NICSI under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) at the Convention Centre, Chief Secretary Sh. Atal Dulloo, IAS today articulated a forward-looking vision for the digital transformation of Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting the pivotal role of NIC and NICSI as key technology partners of the government, the Chief Secretary underscored their continued contribution in building robust digital infrastructure and enabling innovative e-governance solutions across the Union Territory.
Emphasising the centrality of technology in governance, he stated that digital governance is no longer a supporting function but the backbone of a transparent, efficient and responsive public service delivery system.
The workshop was attended by Shantmanu, State Election Commissioner, J&K; Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary, Home Department; Dr. Piyush Singla, Secretary, Information Technology Department; and Mahima Madan, Chief Executive Officer, JaKeGA. Senior officials from NIC and
NICSI, including Varindra Seth, Deputy Director General, NIC; Alok Tiwari, Managing Director, NICSI; Jaskaran Singh Modi, State Informatics Officer; along with Staff of NIC & NICSI UT of J&K were also present.
Highlighting a strategic shift, the Chief Secretary announced the administration’s move towards a ‘Whole-of-Government’ approach aimed at dismantling departmental silos through interoperability and shared digital infrastructure—an area where NIC and NICSI are expected to play a central enabling role.
Underscoring the unique geographical challenges of the region, he described digital platforms as essential bridges that reduce administrative barriers, shorten service timelines, curb corruption and strengthen public trust.
He stressed the importance of designing citizen-centric digital platforms with intuitive interfaces and local language support to ensure inclusivity. He further observed that structured and well-governed data will form the foundation for deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) in governance.
Reiterating the importance of digital security, the Chief Secretary called for strict adherence to cybersecurity protocols and robust crisis management frameworks, while emphasising continuous capacity building through initiatives such as Tech Saksham, led by NIC and NICSI.
The Chief Secretary highlighted two major initiatives: a MeitY-sanctioned Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence at IIT Jammu, and the proposed development of IT Parks in Jammu and Srinagar to foster innovation, support startups and generate employment.
Addressing the gathering, State Election Commissioner Shantmanu highlighted the pervasive role of IT in governance. He emphasised the need to harness AI responsibly while mitigating associated risks, and noted the growing role of digital tools in enhancing electoral transparency.
The workshop featured specialised sessions on emerging technologies, including cybersecurity by Sh. Amit Dubey, cloud technologies by Sh. Rajendran Dandapani of Zoho Corporation, and Artificial Intelligence by Sh. Alok Tiwari, MD, NICSI—reflecting the strong technical leadership of
NIC and NICSI in capacity building. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Sh. Jaskaran Singh Modi, State Informatics Officer, NIC J&K.

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