India is set to revolutionize its artificial intelligence (AI) landscape with the imminent launch of an indigenous, secure, cost-effective AI model. Announced by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology, Railways, and Information & Broadcasting, the initiative is backed by a robust high-end common computing facility, positioning India as a global leader in ethical and responsible AI development.

Affordable AI for All

A key highlight of India’s AI mission is its affordability. While global AI models cost approximately $2.5 to $3 per hour for computation, India’s AI model will cost less than ₹ $100 per hour after a 40% government subsidy. Attractive half-yearly and annual plans will further democratize AI access, making it feasible for researchers, students, and businesses.

The AI compute facility is built on a strong foundation of 18,693 GPUs, including top-tier models like H100, H200, and MI 200/300 units, surpassing initial expectations. With 10,000 GPUs already operational and an additional 8,693 GPUs in the pipeline, IndiaAI is set to rival global AI infrastructure benchmarks.

Empowering Research and Development

To accelerate AI research and development, the government has empanelled ten leading AI service providers, including Tata Communications, Jio Platforms, and Yotta Data Services, offering diversified AI computing units. The computing facility will be instrumental in training foundational AI models, fostering algorithmic efficiency, and enabling faster, more inclusive AI innovations.

Citizen-Centric AI Applications

The Indian AI model will focus on developing applications in critical sectors. Eighteen citizen-centric projects spanning agriculture, learning disabilities, and climate change have already been identified. AI-powered solutions in these areas will enhance efficiency, accessibility, and the overall quality of life for millions of Indians.

Ensuring AI Safety and Ethical Governance

A significant step in India’s AI roadmap is the establishment of the IndiaAI Safety Institute under the Safe and Trusted Pillar of the IndiaAI Mission. The institute will collaborate with academia, startups, and industry to develop indigenous AI safety frameworks tailored to India’s unique socio-economic and linguistic landscape.

Key projects aimed at ethical AI governance include:

• Machine Unlearning (IIT Jodhpur)
• Synthetic Data Generation (IIT Roorkee)
• AI Bias Mitigation (NIT Raipur)
• Explainable AI Framework (DIAT Pune & Minecraft Technologies)
• Privacy-Enhancing Strategies (IIT Delhi, IIIT Delhi, IIT Dharwad, TEC)
• AI Ethical Certification (Tool Nishpaksh - IIIT Delhi & TEC)
• AI Algorithm Auditing (Tool Parakh - Civic Data Labs)
• AI Governance Testing (Amrita Vidyapeetham & TEC)

Call for Proposals to Develop India’s AI Models

The government has also launched a Call for Proposals to support the development of foundational AI models tailored for India. These models—ranging from large language models (LLMs) to Small Language Models (SLMs)—will be trained on Indian datasets, ensuring linguistic and contextual accuracy while mitigating biases.

Conclusion

India’s AI mission is transforming the nation into a global AI powerhouse. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of leveraging cutting-edge technology for economic empowerment by prioritising affordability, security, and inclusivity.

With a thriving AI ecosystem, a strong computing backbone, and a focus on ethical AI governance, India is set to develop trustworthy, scalable, and cost-effective AI solutions that cater to local and global needs.

The future of AI in India is not just about technological advancement—it is about democratizing intelligence for the benefit of all.

Source: PIB, X post