Overview
SARC AI Technologies Private Limited, a subsidiary of SARC Global, organised two high‑level panel discussions on October 31, 2026 as part of the Vibrant Goa Global Business Summit 2026. The sessions focused on India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, and on Goa’s ambition to become an AI‑driven state under the newly unveiled Goa AI Policy 2026.
DPDP Compliance Panel
The first discussion, titled “Data & DPDP Before May 2027 – What the SBI Breach Tells Government, PSUs and Businesses,” was moderated by Sunil Kumar Gupta, Founder of SARC. Panelists included Ranu Gupta (Co‑Founder & CEO, DataSurity by SARCai), Rani Lakra (Founder Partner, SARC), Mamata Chakraborty (Founder & Managing Partner, SARC Legal), Sanjoy Roy (The Modern Data Company) and Nilay Joshi (Director, Cyber Risk Advisory, DataSurity by SARCai). They highlighted that the DPDP Act’s key obligations—breach notification and security safeguards—take effect on May 13, 2027. Non‑compliance can attract penalties of up to ₹250 crore. The speakers urged organisations to move beyond traditional IT security, establishing comprehensive data‑governance frameworks, board‑level oversight, personal data mapping, robust consent‑management systems, clear accountability structures and regular breach‑response testing.
AI State Panel
The second session, “Goa as an AI State, Built Safely – Governed Data and Secure Foundations for AI,” was moderated by Probir Roy, Founding Independent Director of Nazara Technologies Limited. Participants were Animesh Kumar (Co‑Founder & CTO, The Modern Data Company), Lord Uday Nagaraju (Member, House of Lords, UK Parliament), Laxmi Das (Co‑Founder, Prophaze), CA Rajendra Bagade (Senior Partner, SARC Global), an AI expert identified as Tanya, and business leader Sarrthak Dahiya. The panel outlined four pillars for an AI‑enabled state: quality data, secure digital infrastructure, skilled human resources and clear human accountability. They announced the creation of an AI Centre of Excellence, a Konkani language model developed in collaboration with BHASHINI, and an AI Kosh to house government data. A hackathon will feature 100 problem statements sourced from 35 government departments under the AI policy. CA Bagade warned that traditional audit practices focusing only on IT systems are insufficient; audits must extend to processes, code, data and algorithms, especially for public‑sector entities handling citizen data. Emerging AI‑driven cyber threats—deep‑fake voices, AI‑phishing, stolen access keys and malicious bots—were also flagged, with an emphasis that decisions affecting citizens’ rights remain under human accountability.
Investment Highlights and Government Announcements
The summit concluded with an address by Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, who promoted the state’s ease of doing business, the upcoming second international airport, a logistics and warehousing policy, and an electronics manufacturing cluster. He reaffirmed support for MSMEs through the Mukhyamantri Export Incentive Scheme, targeting the development of 500 champion exporters by 2037, and expressed backing for a proposed Defence Conclave in Goa.
During the event, the Goa Investment Promotion Board signed nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) valued at approximately ₹8,600 crore. The MoUs span sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, data centres, logistics and healthcare, and are projected to generate around 5,000 jobs.
Cultural Highlight – 1983 World Cup Coffee‑Table Book
The closing ceremony featured the unveiling of a 35‑kg coffee‑table book commemorating India’s 1983 Cricket World Cup victory. The book was presented by Chief Minister Sawant and former captain Kapil Dev. Conceptualised by Sunil Kumar Gupta, the publication is owned by KDSG, which holds full rights to the stories and photographs.
Significance
The press release underscores the convergence of data‑protection regulation, AI policy formulation, and large‑scale investment commitments as Goa positions itself as a secure, AI‑ready state. It also highlights the broader governmental push for digital governance, skill development, and export‑oriented MSME growth.