20 March 2025, New Delhi: The IndiaAI Mission has witnessed a significant surge in interest, receiving 120 applications in its second round, doubling the number from the first phase. With this, the total count of proposals has now reached an impressive 187, signaling strong engagement from both national and international stakeholders.
A senior government official from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) confirmed that a few applications are expected to be approved by the end of this financial year. The overwhelming response highlights India’s growing prominence in the global AI ecosystem.
Global Interest in India’s AI Ambitions
The IndiaAI Mission has attracted interest beyond Indian firms and researchers, drawing applications from international players keen on setting up a base in India. Several startups with teams in Singapore, the United States, and other countries have also applied for the initiative. Even students from leading institutions like Stanford University have shown interest in contributing to the mission.
The surge in international participation underscores India’s potential as a hub for AI innovation, with global firms looking to collaborate and leverage the country’s AI ecosystem.
Government’s Commitment to Foundational AI Models
IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has outlined ambitious plans for the IndiaAI Mission, aiming to have at least three foundational AI models ready by the end of the year. The initiative has been allocated a budget of ₹1,500 crore, further demonstrating the government’s commitment to fostering AI-driven innovation.
In a recent statement in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for IT Jatin Prasada disclosed that the first round of applications had attracted 67 proposals by February 15, with contributions from both well-established startups and new teams comprising researchers and academia.
Strengthening AI Development Through Strategic Partnerships
In a key development, the IndiaAI Mission has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Parliament to utilize its vast multilingual data for training indigenous AI models. This move is expected to enhance AI capabilities in processing and understanding Indian languages, reinforcing India’s push for sovereign AI solutions.
Additionally, the mission is set to collaborate with the Gates Foundation to develop AI-driven solutions aimed at improving agricultural productivity, strengthening healthcare, enhancing education, and boosting climate resilience. This strategic partnership is expected to further solidify India’s position in AI research and application across critical sectors.
India’s Push for AI Self-Reliance
IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently emphasized the need for India to have its own AI repository, stating, “Open source does not remain open source, as seen in the experience of ChatGPT. India needs to achieve self-dependency in AI.”
Since 2014, the Modi government has consistently focused on building self-reliance in critical sectors such as defense, space, and IT. This vision has driven initiatives like ‘Make in India’, which aims to boost domestic manufacturing and technological advancements.
The IndiaAI Mission is yet another step in this direction, pushing for self-reliance in AI and positioning India as a global hub for AI development.
Source: Economic times ,PIB
