India AI: New Beginning for AI Revolution in India

Why in News?

Recently, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, launched several AI initiatives on the first anniversary of the India AI Mission. These initiatives aim to promote artificial intelligence (AI) research, innovation, and skill development in India, accelerating the country’s digital progress.

New AI Initiatives in India

• India AI Compute Portal: The Government of India has launched the India AI Compute Portal, a state-of-the-art platform to support AI innovation. This portal provides easy access to high-performance GPUs like NVIDIA H100, AMD MI300x, and AWS Tranium for students, startups, academicians, and researchers. More than 18,000 GPUs, cloud storage, and other AI services will be available at subsidized rates, with users receiving up to 40% subsidy, accelerating AI development. Notably, the cost of using GPUs on this portal is just ₹67 per hour, making it one of the most affordable AI computing resources globally.
• AIKosha Dataset Platform: AIKosha is a cutting-edge platform providing high-quality datasets, models, and use cases essential for AI innovation. It is equipped with advanced security features such as encryption, secure APIs, and real-time filtering to ensure data protection. AIKosha also offers AI sandbox capabilities, content discoverability, and AI readiness scoring, enabling developers and researchers to work on real-world AI applications efficiently.
• AI Competency Framework: To ensure the effective use of AI in policymaking and administration, the government has introduced the AI Competency Framework. This initiative aims to train public sector officials in AI skills and policymaking, aligning with global standards. Additionally, the iGOT-AI platform will enable government officials to receive AI-powered personalized learning, enhancing their decision-making capabilities.
• Global Acceleration Program: To help Indian startups compete on a global scale, the government has launched the IndiaAI Startups Global Acceleration Program. This four-month initiative, in collaboration with STATION F (Paris) and HEC Paris, will provide mentorship, networking, and market expansion opportunities to 10 selected AI startups. 
• IndiaAI Future Skills: To promote AI education and skill development, the government has introduced the IndiaAI Future Skills and Fellowship Program. AI courses will be integrated into leading institutions such as IITs, NITs, and IIITs, and financial support will be provided for undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG), and Ph.D. students conducting AI research. Furthermore, IndiaAI Data Labs will be established in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, offering foundational AI courses to expand AI education and training across the country.

India AI Mission: Complete Overview

• • The Government of India launched the India AI Mission to make India self-reliant in artificial intelligence (AI) and establish the country as a global leader in AI technology. This mission is being implemented as an Independent Business Division (IBD) under the Digital India Corporation (DIC).
  • With an approved budget of ₹10,371.92 crore, the mission aims to promote AI research, innovation, startups, and AI education in the country.
• India AI Portal
  • The India AI Portal, launched in May 2020, serves as an integrated platform for all AI-related activities in India. It was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), National e-Governance Division (NeGD), and NASSCOM.
  • This portal provides access to:
  • AI research reports, articles, news, interviews, government policies, and startup-related information.
  • Over 1,151 articles, 701 news stories, 98 research reports, 95 case studies, and 213+ videos on AI.
  • A database of 121 government initiatives and 281 AI startups.
  • Free and paid AI courses for education and employment opportunities.
• Objectives of the India AI Mission: The primary goal of the India AI Mission is to strengthen and make India’s AI ecosystem self-reliant. The mission focuses on:
  • Developing an AI computing infrastructure with over 10,000 GPUs.
  • Creating foundational AI models with over 100 billion parameters, trained on Indian languages.
  • Expanding AI applications in priority sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance.
  • Encouraging AI startups and companies by fostering research and development (R&D).
  • Launching AI skill development programs for Indian youth and professionals.

India’s AI Models and Language Technologies

The Government of India is actively promoting the development of indigenous artificial intelligence (AI) models and language technologies. The focus is on large language models (LLMs), small language models (SLMs), and multilingual AI solutions.

• BharatGPT (BharatGen): Launched in 2024 in Delhi, BharatGen is a foundational AI model focused on language, speech, and computer vision. Its primary objective is to enhance public service delivery and digital engagement for citizens. Developed in collaboration with India’s top academic institutions and AI researchers, BharatGen is tailored to meet India’s unique linguistic and technological needs.
• Sarvam-1: Sarvam-1 is an advanced large language model (LLM) designed specifically for Indian languages. With 2 billion parameters, it supports 10 major Indian languages. It is optimized for automated translation, text summarization, and content creation, expanding access to digital resources in regional languages.
• Hanuman Everest 1.0: Hanuman Everest 1.0 is a multilingual AI system supporting 35 Indian languages, with plans to expand to 90 languages. This initiative aims to digitally empower India’s diverse linguistic landscape.
• Digital India Bhashini: Bhashini is a language translation platform that ensures seamless access to digital services in Indian languages. Using AI-powered voice-based translation technologies, it enhances internet accessibility and supports content creation in regional languages.
• Chitralekha: Developed by AI4Bharat, Chitralekha is an AI-powered video transcription platform that enables audio-to-text conversion and editing in multiple Indian languages. This tool is particularly beneficial for media professionals, educational institutions, and content creators.

Key Highlights of India’s AI Market

• AI Compute Infrastructure: India is rapidly scaling up its AI computing capabilities by deploying a large number of GPUs (Graphics Processing Units). In the first phase, over 10,000 GPUs have already been made available, with more to be added soon. This initiative plays a crucial role in developing indigenous AI solutions, making AI more accessible in Indian languages, and promoting AI research.
• Open GPU Marketplace: India has launched an Open GPU Marketplace, ensuring high-performance computing access for startups, researchers, and students. Unlike other countries, where AI infrastructure is controlled by large corporations, this initiative democratizes access, allowing small businesses and innovators to compete on a global scale.
• Semiconductor Manufacturing: India is making major investments in semiconductor manufacturing. Five semiconductor fabrication plants are currently under development. This initiative will strengthen AI-based technologies, electronics manufacturing, and digital infrastructure, enhancing India’s competitiveness in the global AI and electronics industry.
• Government Initiatives: The Indian government has launched several AI-driven initiatives, including:
  • Digital India – Driving digital transformation across sectors.
  • Make in India – Promoting AI and tech innovation in India.
  • Smart Cities Mission – Leveraging AI for urban development.
  • GI Cloud (MeghRaj) – Enhancing cloud-based AI applications.
  • Global INDIA AI Summit – Positioning India as a global AI leader.
• AI Clusters in India: AI innovation is rapidly growing in Indian cities, driven by government policies, research institutions, and rising AI demand. The major AI hubs include: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune and National Capital Region (NCR) These cities are becoming key centers for AI startups and technological advancements.

Challenges Anticipated for India AI Mission

• Limited GPU Capacity and Infrastructure: India currently faces a shortage of GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), which are essential for training and executing AI models. While the government is investing in expanding GPU infrastructure, it remains insufficient compared to global tech giants. The success of the India AI Mission depends on rapidly scaling up high-performance computing infrastructure.
• Geopolitical and Regulatory Challenges: The development of AI technologies is influenced by global geopolitical factors and regulatory policies. India is still dependent on other countries for semiconductors and GPU supply. Any trade restrictions or disruptions in the supply chain could slow down AI advancements. Additionally, compliance with global data security and ethical AI regulations poses a significant challenge.
• Limited AI Expertise and High Costs: India faces a shortage of skilled AI researchers and experts. Many top AI professionals migrate to other countries due to higher salaries and better resources (Brain Drain). Moreover, developing large AI models is highly expensive, making it challenging for startups and academic institutions to compete on a global scale.
• Infrastructure Deficiencies: Although the government is working towards building AI-supportive digital infrastructure, challenges remain in areas like: Data centers, Cloud storage, High-speed internet, Computing resources and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) often struggle to adopt AI technologies due to these infrastructure limitations.
• Environmental Concerns: AI model training and execution consume large amounts of energy, leading to higher carbon emissions. If India does not prioritize green energy solutions alongside AI development, the mission could conflict with the country’s climate goals.

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