Eleven national-level hackathons and innovation challenges have so far resulted in 62 AI prototypes. NEW DELHI: The Centre has selected 20 indigenous foundation-model proposals for support and sanctioned over 93 lakh hours of subsidised computing capacity as part of its effort to reduce India’s dependence on foreign artificial intelligence infrastructure and technologies.In a written reply in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, minister of state for electronics and information technology Jitin Prasada said the proposals were selected from 506 applications received under the IndiaAI Mission. They include 12 large multimodal models and eight small language models, with the intellectual property remaining with the developers.Among the models already launched are Sarvam AI’s 30-billion and 105-billion parameter models and Indus, Gnani.AI’s speech-to-speech model, BharatGen’s multilingual models and Avataar AI’s video-generation model.The IndiaAI Mission, approved in March 2024 with an outlay of Rs 10,371.92 crore over five years, is aimed at creating domestic capabilities in computing, foundation models, applications, research and responsible AI.The government has empanelled 15 computing service providers and approved subsidised computing support for 237 projects, involving 93.18 lakh GPU hours. It has also issued a purchase order for a high-performance AI computing system of around 1.1 exaflops at the National Informatics Centre’s data centre in Shastri Park, Delhi.Eleven national-level hackathons and innovation challenges have so far resulted in 62 AI prototypes, of which 20 have been deployed in public-sector institutions. The government has also approved 58 AI centres of excellence across states and Union territories. Of these, work has begun on 22 centres in 13 states and UTs.Another 13 projects have been selected to work on AI safety issues such as bias, privacy, algorithm audits, explainability and machine unlearning.Prasada said India was also strengthening the wider technology ecosystem through the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems, which has an outlay of Rs 3,660 crore. Twenty-five technology innovation hubs have been established at academic institutions in areas including AI, robotics, cybersecurity, quantum technology and fintech.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesOn semiconductors, the minister said 12 manufacturing projects involving committed investments of Rs 1.64 lakh crore had been approved under the Semicon India programme, with three having started commercial production.The Union Cabinet approved Semicon 2.0 on July 15 with an outlay of Rs 1.27 lakh crore. The programme will support Indian-designed chips, semiconductor fabrication and packaging units, and the production of materials, gases and equipment required by the industry.The government acknowledged that India’s AI computing ecosystem currently depends on imported graphics processing units procured through approved service providers. It said the IndiaAI and semiconductor missions were intended to progressively build domestic capabilities across the AI supply chain.Citing Stanford’s Global AI Vibrancy Report of November 2025, the reply said India ranked third globally in AI competitiveness and was the second-largest contributor to AI projects on GitHub.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBombay HC Convicts Tehelka Founder Tarun Tejpal In 2013 Sexual Assault Case; Reverses 2021 AcquittalThe Bankipur Effect: How One Bypoll Has Put BJP’s Upper-Caste Strategy Under The SpotlightSupreme Court Frees Man After 22 Years In Jail, Overturns Wrong ConvictionJPSC-JSSC Protesters Hold Tiranga March In Ranchi Ahead Of Aug 10 Assembly Gherao Over Leak RowKanpur-Lucknow Expressway Toll Suspended After Road Slippage, NHAI Acts Against Contractor’It’s My Moral Call To Be Here’: Author Nilotpal Mrinal Joins Ranchi Student ProtestMeta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Apologises Over PM Modi Video Row, Admits Paid Content BoostingJharkhand Students Display Mark Sheets, Allege Irregularities In JPSC-JSSC Evaluation’Merit Can’t Beat Money’: Jharkhand Aspirant On Hunger Strike Demand Strong JPSC-JSSC Reforms’I’m A Farmer’s Son, I Can’t Buy Papers’: In JPSC-JSSC Exam Leak, Students Demand CBI Probe123PhotostoriesNot everything you were taught was meant to set you free: 8 beliefs every woman needs to unlearn to finally live life on her own terms5 simple ways to reheat pizza so it tastes fresh again: Which method works best and why5 subtle signs the universe is preparing you for a new beginningInside Nagma Mirajkar’s dreamy Mumbai home: A massive living room, a balcony with stunning views and more10 money habits you should learn in your 20s to build long-term wealth15000-year-old bones and teeth reveal what humans ate before agricultureFrom tiger cubs to penguin chicks: 7 incredible places to witness baby animals in the wildSuriya says the secret to his 20-year marriage with Jyotika is surprisingly simple: ‘Keep loving every day’Why Indians eat pickle with every meal: Is there actually a reason?Is 10,000 steps really necessary? 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NEW DELHI: The Centre has selected 20 indigenous foundation-model proposals for support and sanctioned over 93 lakh hours of subsidised computing capacity as part of its effort to reduce India’s dependence on foreign artificial intelligence infrastructure and technologies.In a written reply in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, minister of state for electronics and information technology Jitin Prasada said the proposals were selected from 506 applications received under the IndiaAI Mission. They include 12 large multimodal models and eight small language models, with the intellectual property remaining with the developers.Among the models already launched are Sarvam AI’s 30-billion and 105-billion parameter models and Indus, Gnani.AI’s speech-to-speech model, BharatGen’s multilingual models and Avataar AI’s video-generation model.The IndiaAI Mission, approved in March 2024 with an outlay of Rs 10,371.92 crore over five years, is aimed at creating domestic capabilities in computing, foundation models, applications, research and responsible AI.The government has empanelled 15 computing service providers and approved subsidised computing support for 237 projects, involving 93.18 lakh GPU hours. It has also issued a purchase order for a high-performance AI computing system of around 1.1 exaflops at the National Informatics Centre’s data centre in Shastri Park, Delhi.Eleven national-level hackathons and innovation challenges have so far resulted in 62 AI prototypes, of which 20 have been deployed in public-sector institutions. The government has also approved 58 AI centres of excellence across states and Union territories. Of these, work has begun on 22 centres in 13 states and UTs.Another 13 projects have been selected to work on AI safety issues such as bias, privacy, algorithm audits, explainability and machine unlearning.Prasada said India was also strengthening the wider technology ecosystem through the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems, which has an outlay of Rs 3,660 crore. Twenty-five technology innovation hubs have been established at academic institutions in areas including AI, robotics, cybersecurity, quantum technology and fintech.
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On semiconductors, the minister said 12 manufacturing projects involving committed investments of Rs 1.64 lakh crore had been approved under the Semicon India programme, with three having started commercial production.The Union Cabinet approved Semicon 2.0 on July 15 with an outlay of Rs 1.27 lakh crore. The programme will support Indian-designed chips, semiconductor fabrication and packaging units, and the production of materials, gases and equipment required by the industry.The government acknowledged that India’s AI computing ecosystem currently depends on imported graphics processing units procured through approved service providers. It said the IndiaAI and semiconductor missions were intended to progressively build domestic capabilities across the AI supply chain.Citing Stanford’s Global AI Vibrancy Report of November 2025, the reply said India ranked third globally in AI competitiveness and was the second-largest contributor to AI projects on GitHub.
