The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is working on updating certification standards for data centres to meet the specific needs of AI-driven facilities.

Unlike traditional data centres, AI data centres require significantly more power, water, and specialised infrastructure. For instance, these facilities demand five times more power, ten times more water, and floors capable of supporting twenty times more weight per unit area. As AI data centres present new physical and security challenges, consultations with various agencies, including the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, are underway.

The industry is seeking clear operational guidelines to address these changes. "The government can implement a Make in India mandate for something as critical to national security as data centres," said an executive from a Mumbai-based operator. Additionally, there is growing support for prioritising operators using renewable energy in these facilities.