What happened
Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally opened two new Reserve Bank of India facilities in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on 25 October 2026: a Data Centre and a Cybersecurity Training Institute. The RBI described the launch as an important step in building up the technology that underpins India’s financial system.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Data Centre will host the RBI’s mission-critical systems, including RTGS and NEFT. The Training Institute, she said, will build expertise in cybersecurity, AI and other emerging technologies.
Odisha Governor Brajmohan Ram, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Minister Jual Oram were among those present, along with heads of banks, technology providers and RBI Central Board directors.
What was said
The Prime Minister said a secure banking system needs secure digital infrastructure, backed by robust data centres and powerful computing systems. He called the RBI’s new Data Centre a critical step in that direction.
Ms Sitharaman stressed the strategic importance of resilient infrastructure for financial stability and sustained economic growth.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said the central bank is committed to using emerging technologies, strengthening digital infrastructure, improving cybersecurity and developing indigenous technological capabilities. He linked this to the aspiration of India becoming a developed nation by 2047.
What it means for you
RTGS (Real Time Gross Settlement, used for large-value transfers) and NEFT (National Electronic Funds Transfer) are routes many people use to move money between bank accounts. Hosting them in a new facility is about the resilience and security of the systems behind such payments. The RBI has not announced any change to how you use them. For a plain-language comparison of the payment modes, see our guide on NEFT, RTGS and IMPS.
Background
The RBI is the country’s central bank and runs core payment infrastructure. The event was reported in RBI Press Release 2026-2027/1384. The release gave no details on the facility’s size, cost or when particular systems will move to it.
