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India is set to unveil its first sovereign AI model by February 2026, backed by massive GPU infrastructure and sector-focused innovations. Learn what this means for the country’s technological future.
India is on the cusp of a technological milestone with the imminent launch of its first indigenous artificial intelligence (AI) model, scheduled to debut by February 2026. Announced by Electronics and IT Secretary S Krishnan at the India Mobile Congress 2025, this initiative signals India’s ambition to carve a significant space in the global AI ecosystem by building a truly “Made in India” foundational model. The unveiling will coincide with the much-anticipated India AI Impact Summit, set for February 19-20, 2026.
While India entered the AI race later than some global players, it has swiftly ramped up its capabilities, accelerating its computing infrastructure with the deployment of 38,000 graphics processing units (GPUs)—far exceeding the initial target of 10,000 units. This robust GPU network will power the foundational AI models and a variety of sector-specific smaller models designed to meet India’s diverse industrial and societal needs.
S Krishnan emphasized that the approach isn’t just about creating a single monolithic AI model. Instead, it focuses on developing smaller, specialized AI models aligned with critical sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and public services. “In the Indian context, AI has to be meaningful—boosting productivity where it matters most, and making a tangible difference for those who need it,” Krishnan stated.
Developed with Indian datasets and fully hosted on domestic servers, the sovereign AI model underscores the government’s commitment to data sovereignty and digital self-reliance. This foundation is essential for addressing unique linguistic, cultural, and economic facets distinctive to India’s population.
Additionally, the government has fostered a competitive and open environment for technology growth by regularly inviting bids to expand GPU capacity. This rolling process ensures a constantly growing ecosystem of compute power to support India’s AI ambitions.
Backing local innovation, the government is actively supporting a dozen domestic companies working on foundational AI technologies, with at least two expected to launch their own foundational models before the close of 2025. This nurturing of homegrown talent strengthens the AI ecosystem and aligns with India’s vision of technology for public good.
Overall, India’s sovereign AI launch represents more than just a technological achievement—it is a strategic move to harness AI’s transformative potential while ensuring it remains rooted in India’s unique context and values. With the launch tied to the India AI Impact Summit, the country showcases its readiness to lead in an era where artificial intelligence will drive economic growth, social progress, and digital inclusion.
India’s journey from a relatively new player to a formidable force in AI is gathering steam. The upcoming launch in February 2026 is highly anticipated, promising to mark the beginning of a new chapter where AI-driven innovation is tailored to serve India’s distinct societal and economic landscape. It’s a story of ambition powered by cutting-edge infrastructure and a vision to democratize AI benefits for millions across the nation.
