Key takeaways
- IndiaAI procures 14,000 GPUs, boosting total to over 32,000 for AI initiatives.
- Strengthens AI compute capacity for training large and small language models.
- Aims to democratize AI access and drive technological transformation across sectors.
- Seven companies cleared the technical round for GPU procurement under IndiaAI Mission.
- Eligible users can access computing power at up to 40% lower costs.
India is set to procure an additional 14,000 GPUs as part of the IndiaAI Mission, Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Thursday, reported CNBC-TV18. This brings the total GPU count under the mission to over 32,000, following an earlier acquisition of nearly 18,700 units.
“This is a big change, and AI is here for good,” Vaishnaw said while stressing the government’s push to “democratise” access to AI and drive technological transformation across sectors.
The procurement aims to strengthen India’s AI compute capacity, particularly for training large and small language models (LLMs and SLMs), which power most generative AI systems. The expansion is a big step towards building India’s own AI infrastructure.
Seven companies cleared the technical round of the IndiaAI Mission’s second GPU tender, and their commercial bids were recently opened. These include Netmagic (NTT Global), Cyfuture India, Sify Digital Services, Vensysco Technologies, Locuz Enterprise Solutions, Yotta Data Services, and Ishan Infotech.
Originally, the IndiaAI Mission featured over 18,000 GPUs through public-private partnerships with companies including Jio Platforms, NxtGen Data Centre, Locuz Enterprise, E2E Networks, CtrlS DataCenters, CMS Computers, Orient Technologies, Tata Communications, Vensysco, and Yotta Data Services.
According to IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, eligible users will get access to this computing power at up to 40% lower cost. The total budget for the initiative is ₹10,372 crore. About 14,000 units have already been made available in the first round, according to the CNBC report.
Vaishnaw added that the mission will also focus on developing foundational AI models that will be made open-source. “The goal is to ensure AI tools and infrastructure are not concentrated in the hands of a few but are accessible to all innovators and developers,” he said.
The announcement signals the government’s intent to provide wide access to AI resources and reduce reliance on private cloud monopolies, aligning with broader digital public infrastructure goals.
