This move is designed to make high-performance computing more accessible to ministries, researchers, startups, and AI-driven projects throughout the country

Call it India’s big AI push, as the Centre is preparing to launch a portal as part of its ambitious IndiaAI Mission, aimed at providing access to essential computing resources for ministries, state governments, and other eligible entities at subsidized rates. This initiative will help accelerate the development and deployment of AI technology in India, particularly in government schemes, and enhance AI-driven innovation across sectors.

Under the IndiaAI Mission, the government plans to cover up to 40% of the computing costs for eligible users, which will significantly reduce barriers to accessing advanced computing resources. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that the IndiaAI portal launch is expected in the next 7-8 days, offering key resources such as compute capacity, storage, and network services. This move is designed to make high-performance computing more accessible to ministries, researchers, startups, and AI-driven projects throughout the country.

A portal to boost compute power

The AI portal will provide access to a total of 14,000 graphics processing units (GPUs), which are crucial for AI model training, data processing, and other high-performance computing tasks. Through a collaboration with industry leaders such as Yotta Data Services, E2E Networks, Tata Communications, and AWS-managed service providers, the portal will make these resources available. Yotta Data Services is set to contribute the largest share of compute capacity, with 9,216 GPUs, including 8,192 Nvidia H100 chips, designed for high-end AI tasks.

Also Read: Eight projects selected as part of IndiaAI mission

Of the total 14,000 GPUs, 70% will be high-performance models like the Nvidia H100, while the remaining 30% will include older-generation or lower-capacity GPUs for less intensive tasks. AWS and its service providers, including CMS Computers, Locuz Enterprise Solutions, Orient Technologies, and Vensysco Technologies, will contribute 1,200 lower-end GPUs to meet varying computational needs. Jio Platforms has also committed to providing 208 Nvidia H200 GPUs and 104 AMD MI300X GPUs, with plans to procure additional units in the next empanelment process in April.

AI initiative to drive growth

This initiative is part of the government’s larger vision to drive AI industry growth and position the country as a global leader in artificial intelligence. By providing subsidized access to GPUs, the India AI program is focused on supporting startups, researchers, and enterprises working on AI-powered solutions. The government aims to foster AI development not only in the private sector but also in AI in government schemes, enabling the public sector to leverage AI for improved governance and service delivery.

The portal is expected to play a key role in boosting India’s domestic AI capabilities, helping the country develop foundational AI models that are the backbone of applications like AI chatbots, machine learning algorithms, and predictive technologies. The growing availability of computing power will support a thriving AI ecosystem, catalyzing innovation in various industries, including healthcare, education, and finance. As India continues to invest in cutting-edge AI technologies, it is set to emerge as a prominent player in the global AI landscape.