Aiming to support R&D and ethical AI, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the expansion of IndiaAI’s GPU infrastructure to 18,693 to benefit startups and MSMEs.
On Thursday, the Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a significant expansion of the computing infrastructure of IndiaAI Mission. The facility, which initially aimed for 10,000 GPUs, now boasts a total of 18,693 GPUs, including 12,896 H100, 1,480 H200, and 7,200 MI 200 300 units. This increase will aid in further research and the development (R&D) of AI models, for academia, startups and MSMEs.
At a press event at the Electronics Niketan in New Delhi, Vaishnaw unveiled plans for India’s indigenous AI model. He highlighted that this initiative is essential for India as a trusted global technology partner, focusing on ethical AI solutions. He also expressed optimism that the model would be ready within six months.
Initially, the India AI Model’s computational facilities will cater primarily to R&D at competitive costs. While global AI computation rates can reach $2.5 to $3 per hour, India’s model will offer services at a reduced rate of less than ₹100 per hour after government subsidies, with attractive pricing options for long-term plans.
The facility’s 18,693 GPUs will further compete with other open-source models, such as DeepSeek, which operates on 2000 GPUs, or ChatGPT, which relies on 25,000 GPUs.
Moreover, with an emphasis on AI safety and ethics, the government is establishing the IndiaAI Safety Institute to ensure the responsible use of AI. The Institute will collaborate with various stakeholders to address AI-related risks, focusing on data privacy, algorithm auditing, and governance. Eight projects have been initiated under the Indigenous Governance of AI to further these efforts.
Vaishnaw also revealed that 18 projects under the ‘Application Development Initiative’ have been selected as part of the IndiaAI Mission, focusing on agriculture, climate change, and learning disabilities. Proposals will be evaluated for innovation, sustainability, and ethical compliance, with funding provided for successful candidates.
The IndiaAI Mission operates within a four-year framework and aligns with India’s broader technological ambitions, particularly in semiconductor development.
The event was attended by Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, along with Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and CEO of IndiaAI, Kavita Bhatia, COO of IndiaAI, Nand Kumarum, P&CEO of NeGD & CEO of DIC, and other senior MeitY officials.
