The IndiaAI Mission, under the auspices of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), is embarking on a transformative journey to establish a comprehensive and inclusive AI ecosystem in India. This initiative is being executed by the IndiaAI Independent Business Division (IBD), a division of the Digital India Corporation (DIC). In alignment with its objectives, IndiaAI has announced an invitation for the empanelment of agencies to provide AI services on the cloud, a critical move towards democratizing access to AI resources across the nation.

Background and Purpose of the Empanelment

The IndiaAI Mission is designed to accelerate AI innovation across the country through strategic initiatives and collaborations involving both public and private sectors. This mission seeks to democratize access to computing resources, enhance data quality, nurture domestic AI expertise, attract top talent, foster industry partnerships, support startup ventures, promote socially impactful AI projects, and emphasize ethical AI practices. By doing so, the mission aims to drive responsible and inclusive growth within India's burgeoning AI landscape.

Purpose and Scope of Empanelment

The primary purpose of this empanelment is to provide authorized end users—comprising academia, MSMEs, startups, research communities, government bodies, and public sector agencies—with access to AI services on the cloud. The empaneled agencies will be responsible for offering high-performance computing, network, and storage services that are essential for implementing the activities planned under the IndiaAI Mission, such as the development of indigenous LLMs and AI applications.

IndiaAI will approve the end users who can access these cloud-based AI services, ensuring that the services are provided at prices determined through a transparent and competitive process. The empaneled AI service providers will be engaged for a period of 36 months, with the possibility of extension based on mutually agreed terms.

It is important to note that the 'Invitation for Application' is not an offer to enter into a procurement agreement but rather an invitation to receive proposals from eligible and interested bidders. The application process does not obligate IndiaAI to enter into a contractual relationship with any of the potential bidders.

Issuing Authority and Final Decision

The invitation for empanelment is issued by the IndiaAI Independent Business Division, which has been established under the Digital India Corporation, MeitY, with the sole purpose of implementing the IndiaAI Mission. IndiaAI retains the final authority regarding the empanelment of AI service offerings on the cloud. The decision of IndiaAI in this regard will be conclusive and binding.

Once empaneled, IndiaAI will widely publish the list of approved vendors and services authorized to ‘go-live,’ along with the corresponding prices for use by governments, public sector agencies, startups, MSMEs, academia, and research institutions. This approach ensures transparency and equitable access to AI resources, fostering innovation and maintaining global competitiveness.

In conclusion, the empanelment of agencies for providing AI services on the cloud is a significant step towards realizing the IndiaAI Mission's vision of a robust, inclusive, and ethical AI ecosystem in India. By enabling access to state-of-the-art AI infrastructure and resources, the mission is poised to drive transformative change across various sectors, contributing to India's leadership in the global AI landscape.

For more detailed information, stakeholders are encouraged to read the RFP document.

Please also refer to the corrigendum and pre-bid queries published on 26th September 2024 and 30th October 2024.

Corrigendum 1

Corrigendum 2

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