Hyderabad, May 7, 2025 — The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has shortlisted seven firms in the second round of its ambitious IndiaAI Mission GPU tender. This initiative aims to bolster India’s artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure by procuring 15,000 high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs). The selected companies are scheduled to present their technical proposals on May 14, 2025.
The shortlisted firms invited for technical presentations are:
1. Netmagic IT Services (now operating as NTT Global Data Centers & Cloud Infrastructure India, or NTT GDC India)
2. Cyfuture India
3. Sify Digital Services
4. Vensysco Technologies
5. Locuz Enterprise Solutions
6. Yotta Data Services
7. Ishan Infotech
These firms were selected based on their proposals to provide GPU-as-a-service solutions, aligning with the IndiaAI Mission’s objectives to enhance AI compute capacity across the nation.
IndiaAI Mission: A Strategic Initiative
Launched in March 2024, the IndiaAI Mission is a ₹10,371.92 crore ($1.25 billion) initiative aimed at democratizing AI access in India. Approximately 44% of this budget, amounting to ₹4,563.63 crore, is allocated for establishing GPU-based computing infrastructure over the next five years. The mission seeks to provide AI compute resources to startups, researchers, students, academicians, and government departments, thereby fostering innovation and technological self-reliance.
Procurement Process and Technical Presentations
The procurement process began with a Request for Empanelment (RFE) issued by MeitY in August 2024, inviting applications from agencies to provide AI compute and cloud services. Following a pre-bid meeting that saw participation from over 50 service providers, 19 companies submitted proposals by the extended deadline of November 28, 2024. After a thorough technical evaluation, seven firms have been shortlisted for the second round. These companies are now preparing to present their technical solutions on May 14, 2025. The presentations will focus on the firms’ capabilities to deliver GPU-as-a-service, their infrastructure readiness, and their plans to operationalize the proposed solutions.
Significance of the GPU Tender
GPUs are critical for AI applications, offering the computational power necessary for training and deploying complex machine learning models. By procuring 15,000 GPUs, MeitY aims to significantly enhance the nation’s AI capabilities, supporting various sectors including healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance. The initiative also aims to reduce dependency on foreign AI infrastructure and promote indigenous development.
Industry Response and Future Outlook
The shortlisted firms have expressed enthusiasm about contributing to India’s AI infrastructure. For instance, Yotta Data Services has previously committed to providing over 9,216 GPUs, including high-end Nvidia H100 and L40S models, to the IndiaAI Mission. Similarly, other firms are expected to showcase innovative solutions tailored to the mission’s objectives.
The technical presentations on May 14 will be a critical step in the selection process. Post-evaluation, MeitY will proceed to open financial bids from the technically qualified firms. The final selection will consider both technical competence and cost-effectiveness.
As India positions itself as a global leader in AI, the successful implementation of the IndiaAI Mission will play a pivotal role in achieving this vision. By enhancing AI compute capacity and fostering a robust AI ecosystem, the mission aims to drive innovation, economic growth, and societal benefits across the country.
