Amidst the intensifying global competition in AI technology, the Indian government has launched a major AI initiative called BharatGen. Supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, this project has allocated approximately ₹23.5 billion (around $27 million USD) to build India's own foundational AI models, ensuring the nation's technological independence.
Image Source Note: Image generated by AI, licensed from Midjourney.
The BharatGen project's development is not coincidental. Influenced by China's DeepSeek, it accelerates India's efforts to establish its own large-scale AI models. According to official reports, the Indian AI mission has received 67 proposals, with 20 planning to build large language models (LLMs). Among these, BharatGen stands out due to its unique context and objectives.
The project is a collaborative effort involving several top academic institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in Bombay, Kanpur, Mandi, Madras, and Hyderabad, as well as the Indian Institute of Management Indore. BharatGen is not merely a technological project but a national AI mission aimed at fostering inter-departmental collaboration and ensuring long-term technological development and autonomous control over intellectual property.
Professor Ramakrishnan, the head of BharatGen, stated that the project has made significant technological progress and has received high-level government attention. India's Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, also indicated that India will possess its own foundational AI models within 7-8 months, with BharatGen playing a crucial role in achieving this goal.
Unlike many private companies, BharatGen prioritizes academic foundations, emphasizing long-term innovation and sustainability. Professor Ramakrishnan pointed out that private enterprises often focus solely on commercial interests, hindering their ability to truly serve India's diverse cultural and economic needs. BharatGen aims to build AI models that serve the people, particularly in sectors like agriculture and public services.
In the current international climate, possessing independent AI technology is paramount. Ramakrishnan stressed that relying on external AI models is not viable for India, especially in critical areas such as defense. He emphasized the need for India to establish its own AI infrastructure to ensure security and independence.
Currently, the BharatGen team, comprising 50-60 researchers and numerous student participants, is rapidly advancing the project. Furthermore, the team is engaging with the government regarding infrastructure, including GPU resource allocation, to support the continuous development of AI research.
Key Highlights:
💡 **National Strategy:** The BharatGen project aims to establish India's independent foundational AI models, ensuring national technological independence.
🤝 **Whole-of-Government Collaboration:** The project fosters inter-departmental collaboration to promote long-term innovation and autonomous control over intellectual property.
🔒 **Security Imperative:** Reliance on foreign AI technology is unsustainable; India must possess its own AI infrastructure to guarantee security.
