India has received nearly 200 proposals for building foundational AI models trained on Indian datasets, languages, and contexts as part of the IndiaAI Mission. The initiative, which was approved last year, aims to develop indigenous AI technology and reduce dependency on foreign models.
“Given that we have almost 200 proposals of building foundation models, and the kind of capability which is there, and the funding ability that is there with the Government of India, I'm sure very soon we will have an Indian foundation model,” said Abhishek Singh, additional secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), at India’s first Nano Electronics Roadshow in Bengaluru on March 27.
On January 30, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced India’s ambition to develop its Large Language Model (LLM), designed specifically to meet the country’s needs. Subsequently, the Indian government, on February 11, earmarked Rs 1,500 crore under the IndiaAI Mission to support the development of indigenous foundational AI models.
More recently, MeitY on March 6, launched AI Kosha, a non-personal datasets platform, along with the GPU access portal under the IndiaAI Mission. Additionally, the ministry launched the IndiaAI Compute Portal, which will allow startups and researchers to access graphics processing units (GPUs) procured under the IndiaAI Mission.
The government issued a call for proposals on January 30, and by February 15, 67 applications were received. Singh mentioned that by March 15, an additional 120 proposals had been submitted, bringing the total to nearly 200. “The response reflects the strength of India’s startup and research ecosystem. We are very close to finalizing the proposals that will be funded under the model,” he added.
Singh highlighted that while India’s AI talent is ready, one of the key bottlenecks has been the non-availability of computational infrastructure, which is being addressed under the IndiaAI Mission.
He added that investments in chip design and semiconductor manufacturing through initiatives like the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme will play a critical role in reducing the cost of training these models over time.
“Building GPUs that consume less electricity and leveraging advancements in mid-to-nano chip design will ultimately lower the overall cost of training foundation models,” Singh said.
Nonetheless, he cautioned that while progress in semiconductor design will take time, Indian researchers and startups are already working toward developing the country’s own foundation model.
Nanotechnology Roadshow
Meanwhile, the roadshow showcased over 100 intellectual properties (IPs), 50 advanced technologies, and the innovation of over 35 promising startups, all backed by six state-of-the-art nanoelectronics centers across the country.
The conference showcased cutting-edge research and innovation at Nano Centres, established by the MeitY within the IISc and IIT ecosystem. The roadshow served as a platform for over 700 industry leaders, policymakers, and academics to explore areas of collaboration around strategies for strengthening India’s nanoelectronics ecosystem.
Addressing the gathering, S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY highlighted the critical role of MeitY’s Nano Centres in promoting innovation and talent development to build a semiconductor-ready workforce of 85,000 professionals.
Krishnan said the ministry is aligning various efforts to advance the India Semiconductor Mission, one of the world’s most extensive subsidy and grant programs. “With nearly 70-75% of investments in major semiconductor facilities coming from taxpayer money, every Indian is a stakeholder in this mission. Infact, 20% of the workforce in semiconductor design is in India. Ensuring its success is a collective responsibility shared by the government, industry, and academia.”
The event was witness to the signing of 4 MoUs between the academia and the industry.
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