India has announced plans to develop its own generative AI model, joining global players like OpenAI and China's DeepSeek. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed the initiative at the Utkarsh Odisha Conclave, highlighting India's commitment to AI innovation through the India AI Compute Facility, according to a Moneycontrol report.
Also Read: India to Promote Cheap Data Rates, 5G Expansion to Attract Global Investments: Report
India AI Compute Facility
The facility has secured nearly 18,693 GPUs, including 12,896 Nvidia H100 and 1,480 H200 GPUs, exceeding the initial plan of 10,000 GPUs. Around 10,000 GPUs are ready for immediate use, with the rest to be deployed gradually.
"We believe that there are at least six major developers who can develop AI models in the six to eight months on the outer limit, and four to six months on a more optimistic estimate," the report quoted Vaishnaw as saying.
"A common compute facility is the most important component for creating a robust AI ecosystem," Vaishnaw reportedly added, emphasising that researchers, startups, and academic institutions require high-end computational infrastructure to advance AI development. As part of the India AI Mission, the government has prioritised establishing a shared computing resource.
"This facility will be accessible to all and will be operational in the coming days," Vaishnaw confirmed, according to the report.
Also Read: India’s Digital Economy to Outpace Agriculture, Manufacturing by 2030: Govt Report
Discount on AI Compute Services
Ashwini Vaishnaw also reportedly stated that the average discount on AI compute services from market prices is 42 percent, while high-precision compute units, essential for foundational models, are offered at a 47 percent discount.
Vaishnaw announced that proposals for AI model development would be invited starting today, with an expected development timeline of four to eight months.
Support for AI-driven Projects
"We believe that at least six major developers can build AI models within six to eight months, with some potentially delivering results in as early as four to six months," he reportedly said. The minister also highlighted ongoing research in algorithmic efficiency, which could significantly lower the cost of model development.
India is also launching its own foundational AI mode. This foundational AI model will focus on linguistic and cultural diversity, mitigating biases in datasets. Development proposals are now open, with an estimated completion time of four to eight months.
Also Read: OpenAI’s ChatGPT Service Only Disseminates Public Information: Report
As part of the India AI Mission, the government has selected 18 AI-driven projects for funding under agriculture, climate change, and learning disabilities. Additionally, an AI safety institution will be established under a hub-and-spoke model to ensure responsible AI development.
