While global AI models cost between $2.5 to $3 per hour for computation, India’s AI model will be available at a significantly lower cost—less than ₹100 per hour after a 40% government subsidy.
India is on the brink of an AI revolution with the launch of its own safe, secure, and indigenous AI model. Announced by Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology, Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw at Electronics Niketan in New Delhi, this initiative positions India as a trusted global leader in ethical AI solutions. Backed by a high-end common computing facility, the India AI mission is now closer to tailoring AI solutions specifically for the Indian context, including support for multiple Indian languages. Scientists, researchers, developers, and coders are diligently working on multiple foundational models, with the ambitious goal of delivering a fully functional AI model within the next six months.
Affordable and Accessible AI Compute Infrastructure
The Indian AI model will commence with a robust computation facility of approximately 10,000 GPUs, with an additional 8,693 GPUs to be integrated soon. This initiative is set to revolutionize the accessibility of AI resources, benefiting researchers, students, and developers. Technical partners involved in the mission have expressed confidence in its potential to democratize AI access at competitive rates. While global AI models cost between $2.5 to $3 per hour for computation, India’s AI model will be available at a significantly lower cost—less than ₹100 per hour after a 40% government subsidy. Moreover, attractive half-yearly and annual plans will make the service even more affordable for widespread adoption.
Within just ten months of the launch of the India AI Mission, the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology has established an unprecedented high-end common computing facility. With 18,693 GPUs—nine times the capacity of Open Source Model DeepSeek and about two-thirds of ChatGPT’s capacity—this facility is poised to drive rapid innovation in AI research, training, and algorithm development.
Commitment to AI Safety and Ethics
Ensuring the safety and ethical deployment of AI is a top priority for the government. To address these concerns, India is setting up the IndiaAI Safety Institute, which will adopt a techno-legal approach to mitigating AI risks.
The following eight key projects have been identified to enhance AI safety and privacy:
Machine Unlearning – IIT Jodhpur
Synthetic Data Generation – IIT Roorkee
AI Bias Mitigation Strategy – NIT Raipur
Explainable AI Framework – Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune & Minecraft Technologies
Privacy Enhancing Strategies – IIT Delhi, IIIT Delhi, IIT Dharwad & Telecom Engineering Centre
AI Ethical Certification Framework – IIIT Delhi & Telecom Engineering Centre (Tool Nishpaksh)
AI Algorithm Auditing Framework – Civic Data Labs (Tool Parakh)
AI Governance Testing Framework – Amrita Vidyapeetham & Telecom Engineering Centre
These projects will help ensure that India’s AI solutions are transparent, unbiased, and secure, reinforcing India’s reputation as a responsible AI powerhouse.
Empanelment of AI Services on Cloud
The IndiaAI Mission, with a budget of ₹10,372 crores approved in March 2024, aims to bridge existing gaps in the AI ecosystem and position India as a global AI hub. A crucial pillar of this initiative is the establishment of a 10,000-GPU AI Compute Infrastructure. To facilitate this, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) published a Request for Empanelment (RFE) to onboard AI services on cloud platforms. The goal is to provide AI services to academia, MSMEs, startups, research institutions, government agencies, and the public sector at competitive rates.
Following an extensive evaluation, ten bidders were selected to offer diversified AI compute units (GPUs), including Intel Gaudi 2, AMD MI300X, NVIDIA H100, and AWS Inferentia2. These bidders include prominent players like Tata Communications, Jio Platforms, Yotta Data Services, and E2E Networks, ensuring a competitive and robust AI computing ecosystem.
AI for India’s Unique Needs
The indigenous AI model is designed to cater to India’s linguistic and contextual diversity, ensuring inclusivity while minimizing biases. Multiple foundational models are in development, leveraging algorithmic efficiency for cost-effective AI solutions.
The AI model will power applications across critical sectors, including:
Agriculture – AI-driven predictive analytics for crop health, soil monitoring, and yield optimization.
Healthcare – AI-powered diagnostics, patient monitoring, and personalized treatment plans.
Weather Forecasting & Disaster Management – Early warning systems for cyclones, floods, and other natural disasters.
Education – Personalized learning tools catering to diverse linguistic backgrounds.
India’s Compute Facility: Affordable and Scalable
The affordability of India’s AI compute facility is a game-changer. While global AI computation costs stand at $2.5–$3 per hour, India’s facility offers GPU access for as low as ₹115.85 per hour, with high-end compute services available at ₹150 per hour. A 40% government subsidy further reduces costs, ensuring AI democratization and widespread accessibility.
Call for Proposals: Building India’s Foundational AI Models
To accelerate AI innovation, the IndiaAI Mission has launched a Call for Proposals inviting startups, researchers, and entrepreneurs to develop foundational AI models tailored for India. The objective is to establish Large Multimodal Models (LMMs), Large Language Models (LLMs), and Small Language Models (SLMs) trained on Indian datasets, ensuring cultural, linguistic, and contextual relevance.
Key themes under the second round of Expressions of Interest (EoI) include:
Watermarking & Labelling – Ensuring AI-generated content is traceable and secure.
Ethical AI Frameworks – Establishing guidelines for responsible AI use.
AI Risk Assessment & Management – Developing AI safety tools.
Stress Testing Tools – Evaluating AI robustness under extreme conditions.
Deepfake Detection Tools – Combatting AI-generated misinformation.
Global Recognition and the Road Ahead
India’s AI initiative has already received international recognition, including appreciation at Davos. The mission aims to establish India as a global AI hub, providing secure, cost-effective, and indigenous AI solutions. With world-class computing infrastructure, safety measures, and a strong commitment to ethical AI, India’s AI model is set to empower citizens, businesses, and researchers alike.
A Vision for AI-Enabled Bharat
The launch of India’s indigenous AI model is a transformative step toward self-reliance in artificial intelligence. By prioritizing affordability, security, and ethical AI deployment, the IndiaAI Mission is set to democratize AI access and drive innovation across multiple sectors. This initiative is not just about technological advancement—it is about empowering the people of India and ensuring that AI serves the needs of every citizen. With this bold step, India is poised to emerge as a global leader in AI development, paving the way for a future where AI is accessible, inclusive, and impactful.
