The IndiaAI Mission is entering the final phase of evaluating applications to fund indigenous Large Language Models (LLMs), according to Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw. Funding is expected to be awarded to selected teams within the next few weeks.
This initiative falls under the broader IndiaAI Mission, which received cabinet approval in March 2024 with an allocation of ₹10,372 crore over a five-year period. The mission seeks to establish a robust AI ecosystem through a suite of focused programs, including:
- IndiaAI Compute Capacity
- IndiaAI Innovation Centre (IAIC)
- IndiaAI Datasets Platform
- IndiaAI Application Development Initiative
- IndiaAI FutureSkills
- IndiaAI Startup Financing
- Safe & Trusted AI
In January 2025, the government shortlisted ten companies to supply a total of 18,693 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), which are crucial for building foundational AI models. The second round of bidding drew around 120 applications, signaling robust interest from India's AI research community.
Minister Vaishnaw also noted that AI technologies are being widely adopted across sectors such as education, healthcare, and industry. This growing engagement, he said, positions India to harness the AI revolution in a transformative way.
Our Opinion on the News:
The IndiaAI Mission's advancement in evaluating and funding indigenous LLMs is a pivotal move in strengthening India's AI capabilities. By supporting the development of domestic foundational models and infrastructure, the initiative will help reduce dependency on foreign technologies and enhance strategic autonomy. The scale of investment in AI hardware and ecosystem-building initiatives underscores the government's resolve to make India a global hub for AI innovation. For stakeholders in the AI industry—including researchers, startups, and enterprises—this presents a significant opportunity to innovate, collaborate, and grow within an enabling and well-funded policy environment.