The NARI (Nurturing AI Revolution for Inclusion) programme has been officially launched at the Chandigarh University campus in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant targeted regional initiative to boost the female tech pipeline in India. The scheme, launched by Governor Anandiben Patel on November 18, 2025, is strategically aligned with the national “Nari Shakti” pillar of the Viksit Bharat (Developed India) vision. The initiative has been allocated an annual budget of ₹2.20 crore to run over the next three years.
The NARI scheme sets specific, ambitious targets designed to integrate women into the technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Over the three-year period, the plan aims to train 1,500 women in cutting-edge tech skills such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data science, focusing on creating a new direction for women’s leadership. Furthermore, the initiative will actively support 150 women-led startups through the CUBE (Centre for Universal Business and Entrepreneurship) incubator, providing seed funding (ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh) and mentorship to ensure a higher survival rate for these ventures.Crucially, the NARI scheme adopts a holistic approach to empowerment that extends beyond technical skills. It includes a dedicated focus on health and wellness, planning to conduct health screenings for 2,000 women to promote well-being alongside professional development. This focus on training, startup incubation, and holistic support represents a decisive step in strengthening a women-led technology ecosystem in Uttar Pradesh, aligning with the state’s Mission Shakti and its Startup Policy.
 programme has been officially launched at the Chandigarh University campus in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, marking a significant targeted regional initiative to boost the female tech pipeline in India.){kind=link}