The Rajasthan Foundation is set to expand its network from 40 to 51 chapters following an announcement by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur on Friday, October 16, 2026.
Addressing a dialogue with Non-Resident Rajasthanis, Sharma invited people with roots in the state to support investment, industrial growth and employment opportunities for local youth. The programme brought together chapter representatives and community members in person and online.
Where the 11 new chapters are planned
The expansion comprises six chapters in India and five abroad, including a regional Nordic chapter based in Stockholm. Once added, the network would have 25 domestic and 26 overseas chapters.
| Chapter group | New locations |
|---|---|
| India: 6 chapters | Raipur, Lucknow, Patna, Siliguri, Panaji and Visakhapatnam |
| Overseas city chapters: 4 | San Francisco, Zurich, Milan and Dublin |
| Nordic regional chapter: 1 | Stockholm, covering Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland |
The Foundation connects Rajasthanis living elsewhere with cultural activities, social initiatives and investment opportunities in the state. Sharma also highlighted the NRR Policy-2025, the Rajasthan Development Support Portal and the department responsible for domestic and overseas Rajasthan affairs.
District Non-Resident Cells have been constituted across the state, with a diaspora dialogue programme to be held in each district at least once a year.
Business approval timelines and investment opportunities
Sharma outlined steps intended to simplify industrial approvals. He said the time limit for Consent-to-Operate for MSMEs had been cut from 120 days to 30 days, while the limit for large industries had been set at 60 days.
He also said the list of White Category industries had grown from 104 to 877, and that around 190 services across 18 departments were being made available through the RAJNIVESH portal.
The investment pitch covered minerals, agricultural produce, spices, handicrafts and tourism. Sharma pointed to the roughly Rs 80,000 crore refinery and petrochemical project as a potential source of opportunities for businesses using its products.
He put the state's industrial network at 472 industrial areas with around 46,000 operating units. For entrepreneurs in Jaipur, the discussion linked the wider diaspora network with potential business partnerships and routes into the state's investment support system.
December heritage meet and diaspora conference
A Shekhawati Heritage Meet is scheduled for December 8, followed by the Non-Resident Rajasthani Conference on December 10. Sharma invited members of the diaspora to participate in the latter.
He said a heritage tourism circuit was being developed across Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu, where 662 historic havelis had been identified for cultural conservation. The effort connects heritage preservation with tourism opportunities in the Shekhawati region.
Water conservation was another area of diaspora participation discussed at the Jaipur event. Sharma credited the Karmabhumi se Matribhumi campaign with around 62,000 groundwater recharge and water conservation structures.
The programme also included the launch of the coffee table book Vikas ke Sahabhagi. Deputy Chief Ministers Diya Kumari and Premchand Bairwa attended, alongside representatives of Rajasthan Foundation chapters in India and overseas.
