The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is inviting nominations for AI fellowships under the IndiaAI Mission. The fellowships aim to support students working on AI projects and foster advanced skills and innovation in the AI field. This initiative is part of the broader IndiaAI Mission, which seeks to strengthen the AI ecosystem in India by promoting education, research, and practical application of AI technologies.

The IndiaAI Mission has announced the availability of fellowships for students enrolled in B.Tech or M.Tech programs at the top 50 engineering universities, as ranked by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). These fellowships are a strategic initiative under the IndiaAI Mission to promote AI education and research nationwide. The initiative is spearheaded by “IndiaAI,” an independent business division of the Digital India Corporation dedicated to building a robust AI infrastructure and ecosystem in India.

Key Pillars of the IndiaAI Mission

The IndiaAI Mission is structured around several critical pillars that collectively aim to enhance the AI ecosystem in India. These pillars include:

• Compute Capacity: Expanding the computational resources available for AI research and development.
• Innovation Centre: Establishing centres of excellence for AI innovation.
• Datasets Platform: Creating and maintaining comprehensive datasets to fuel AI research.
• Application Development Initiative: Encouraging the development of AI applications across various sectors.
• FutureSkills: Focused on developing AI skills and education.
• Startup Financing: Providing financial support to AI startups.
• Safe & Trusted AI: Ensuring AI technologies' ethical and secure deployment.

IndiaAI FutureSkills Initiative

One of the pivotal initiatives under the IndiaAI Mission is the IndiaAI FutureSkills program. This initiative aims to break down barriers to AI education by focusing on higher education and aligning with existing skilling efforts. The FutureSkills program is designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring students are well-equipped with essential AI skills.

Fellowship Program

The fellowship program under the IndiaAI FutureSkills initiative will initially offer support to 10 students from B.Tech and M.Tech programs at the top 50 NIRF-ranked engineering colleges. These fellowships are intended for students undertaking AI projects, thus fostering a workforce proficient in AI technologies and applications.

Invitation to Top Institutes

IndiaAI invites the top 50 NIRF-ranked institutions to participate in this initiative. Participation from these institutions is crucial for advancing AI education and research in India. By submitting nominations for the IndiaAI FutureSkills Fellowships, institutions can empower their students to become leaders in AI innovation and application. This opportunity enhances the institute's contribution to the AI ecosystem and ensures students gain valuable skills and experience, thus fostering a future-ready AI workforce.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the fellowship, students must meet the following criteria:

B.Tech Students: Must be pursuing a full-time B.Tech program and have completed their third year. They should have completed at least three AI-related courses, such as Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence, Data and Data Management Systems, Computer Vision, Neural Networks, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, etc. They should also have attained an overall 80% mark or equivalent grade until the last completed semester. In cases where students have less than 80% marks, the institute can provide a justification, which will be considered based on the availability of fellowships.

M.Tech Students: Must be freshly enrolled in a full-time M.Tech program and pursuing postgraduate studies in AI-related courses.

Application Guidelines

Institutions must adhere to the following guidelines when submitting nominations:

• Endorsements: Nominations must be endorsed by the professor overseeing the project/thesis and the head of the department, registrar, or head of the institution.
• Format: Nominations must be submitted in the prescribed format and by the specified deadline.
• Publication: Students are expected to publish research papers from their project work in leading academic journals.
• Performance: If a student fails to maintain the required minimum grade, subsequent disbursements of fellowship funds will be withheld.

Conclusion

The IndiaAI Mission’s fellowship program represents a significant opportunity for top engineering institutes and their students. By participating in this initiative, institutions can contribute to the growth of AI education and research in India while students gain practical experience and skills in AI.

This initiative is a strategic step towards building a future-ready AI workforce and fostering innovation and application in AI technologies across various sectors. Institutions are encouraged to submit their nominations and be part of this transformative journey towards advancing AI in India.

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