India is on the brink of launching its own safe and secure indigenous artificial intelligence (AI) model, aiming to make cutting-edge technology accessible and affordable for all. This announcement, made on January 30, 2025, by Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, at Electronics Niketan in New Delhi, is regarded as a timely step for positioning India as a trusted technological powerhouse globally.
The launch of the indigenous AI model is supported by advanced computing facilities, boasting approximately 18,693 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). The capacity of this facility is impressive—outpacing models like DeepSeek, which relies on only 2,000 GPUs, and ChatGPT’s requirement of 25,000 GPUs. Vaishnaw expressed optimism about the completion of the foundational models, indicating they might be ready within six months.
Vaishnaw emphasized the aim of the new model: ensuring inclusivity. "Our Prime Minister’s economic thinking is very inclusive. He believes in making modern technology accessible to everyone to..." he stated, highlighting the focus on empowering those at the bottom of the socio-economic pyramid.
The cost of utilizing this revolutionary AI will be significantly lower than its international counterparts. While global models can charge between $2.5 to $3 per hour, India's indigenous AI model plans to offer its services at less than ₹100 per hour, aided by government subsidies. Such pricing will initially resonate with students, researchers, and developers who will be the primary beneficiaries of this computing power.
With the government's goal of democratizing access to AI, technical partners involved have shown great confidence. The computing facility was originally set to utilize 10,000 GPUs, but demand spurred the expansion to nearly double this capacity, enhancing the availability of resources for AI research and development.
Beyond merely providing computing power, the initiative encapsulates ethical AI deployment. The government has announced plans for the establishment of the AI Safety Institute, focusing on safety, security, and ethical development within the AI sector. “Safety and ethical deployment of the AI model remains the top priority for the government,” Vaishnaw reiterated during the event, reflecting the commitment to establishing rigorous safety standards.
The Safety Institute, under the IndiaAI Mission's Safe and Trusted pillar, will engage with stakeholders across academia and industry to address potential AI risks. Eight major projects will be initiated, focusing on various facets of AI safety, including AI Bias Mitigation and Explainable AI Frameworks. The establishment of these projects emphasizes India's proactive approach to fostering ethical usage of technology.
This ambitious initiative aligns with the government's wider vision of establishing India as the global hub for AI development. With over ₹10,372 crore allocated for the IndiaAI Mission, the focus is not only on computational infrastructure but also on fostering innovation across multiple sectors by developing AI applications across agriculture, healthcare, and disaster management.
By inviting startups, researchers, and various stakeholders to contribute to the foundational AI models, the Ministry is nurturing homegrown talent aimed at solving uniquely Indian challenges. The vision extends to addressing issues like climate change and agricultural optimization through AI-driven solutions.
The feedback from potential technical partners has been encouraging, with numerous bidders expressing interest not only in providing infrastructure but also developing comprehensive AI services. These partnerships are expected to enrich the Indian AI ecosystem, leading to groundbreaking advancements shaping the future technology frameworks.
To put the competitive pricing model for computational resources in perspective, it was highlighted during the announcement how substantially lower costs will allow for broader access to advanced AI capabilities. Proposed packages will be available on monthly and annual terms, democratizing engagement with this transformative technology.
Looking to the future, the IndiaAI mission is setting the stage for sustainable AI advancements, with the establishment of solid ethical guidelines and safety standards intended to mitigate risks. The government's strategic investments also aim to align AI initiatives with its semiconductor blueprint, grounding technological growth within India’s greater technological ambitions.
India has also garnered attention for its commitment to integrating AI education within its tertiary institutions, bolstering its AI talent pool. Currently, over 240 universities offer AI courses, with significant advancements expected as India pivots to become a leader on the global AI stage.
At the launch event, participants included notable figures from the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology and academia, all emphasizing the direction of India's technological evolution as one filled with innovation, inclusivity, and ethical foresight.
With the rollout of the indigenous AI model expected to change the technological future of India, the vision encapsulates not just advancements but also extensive societal benefits, enabling AI to contribute significantly to the welfare of millions.