In a groundbreaking move to position India as a global leader in ethical and affordable artificial intelligence (AI), Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw today announced the upcoming launch of the country’s very own indigenous AI model. The announcement, made at Electronics Niketan in New Delhi, signals a major step towards providing tailored, reliable AI solutions for India at highly competitive rates, ensuring the nation’s role in shaping the future of AI technology.
Minister Vaishnaw emphasized the significance of the initiative, noting India’s trusted global standing as a crucial factor in the success of its AI mission. He expressed confidence that the launch of the indigenous AI model would enhance India’s stature as a technological powerhouse dedicated to creating ethical, sustainable, and inclusive AI solutions for global and local needs.
“We are on the brink of an era where AI is not just for the privileged few, but accessible to everyone,” said Vaishnaw. He highlighted the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is committed to empowering people at the grassroots level through technology-driven economic inclusivity.
High-Performance Infrastructure to Support AI Innovation
The AI model will be supported by a state-of-the-art computing facility, a pivotal element of the ongoing India AI Mission. The facility, housing 10,000 GPUs with an additional 8,693 GPUs planned for integration, will enable researchers, students, and developers to leverage cutting-edge infrastructure for AI applications. This high-performance system is designed to support a range of use cases, particularly in Indian languages and cultural contexts.
The Indian AI model offers a cost-effective alternative to global services, which typically charge between $2.5 and $3 per hour for AI computations. India’s model, however, will cost under ₹100 per hour, thanks to a generous 40% government subsidy. To ensure broad accessibility, affordable subscription plans, including half-yearly and annual options, will be introduced, making AI technology more accessible to a wide range of users.
Surpassing Global Benchmarks
With 18,693 GPUs already in place, the India AI Mission has surpassed international benchmarks, outpacing other global AI models such as Open Source Model DeepSeek and ChatGPT. This scalable infrastructure is set to provide robust support for AI-driven innovation across sectors. Furthermore, the government is offering cloud-based AI services to stakeholders such as academia, MSMEs, and startups through a new Request for Empanelment (RFE).
Prioritizing Safety and Ethical AI
As part of its commitment to ethical AI development, the government has also announced the establishment of the IndiaAI Safety Institute. The Institute will focus on addressing AI-related risks and challenges through a techno-legal approach, collaborating with academia, industry, and government stakeholders to ensure secure and trusted AI applications.
Key safety initiatives launched include AI Bias Mitigation, Explainable AI frameworks, and AI Privacy Strategies, all designed to safeguard the ethical use of AI technologies. Vaishnaw emphasized that the government is focused on the responsible deployment of AI solutions, ensuring that technology serves the greater good of society.
AI for Critical Sectors
The India AI Mission will focus on the application of AI in critical areas such as agriculture, healthcare, and disaster management. With 18 identified use cases, the initiative aims to address issues like climate change, agritech solutions, and improving healthcare delivery, benefitting millions of citizens across the country.
In addition, a call for proposals has been issued to develop foundational AI models using Indian datasets, inviting startups, researchers, and entrepreneurs to create AI solutions that address India’s unique challenges. This initiative is designed to promote inclusivity and fairness, ensuring that AI models reflect the diverse cultural, linguistic, and societal needs of the nation.
A Vision for India as a Global AI Hub
With a budgetary allocation of ₹10,372 crores, the India AI Mission is designed to make India a global hub for AI development and applications. In tandem with this mission, the government is strategically investing in India’s semiconductor sector, ensuring a sustainable and complementary foundation for the country’s AI ambitions.
India’s focus on affordability, inclusivity, and innovation positions the country as a leader in the AI space, shaping the future of technology for both societal and industrial advancements. With this initiative, India is set to redefine the landscape of AI technology, making it accessible, ethical, and impactful for generations to come.
