MeitY In Final Stages To Select LLMs For Govt Aid: S Krishnan

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is in the final stages of selecting India’s first foundational AI model to be funded by the government from the submitted proposals, said MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan on Thursday.

“Now, we are at the final stage of selecting India’s first foundational AI model. Out of nearly 67 proposals received, 47 were focused on reference models and LLM training. Expert panels have carefully reviewed the submissions, and their findings will be presented soon. This marks a significant milestone in India's AI journey”, said MeitY Secretary.

He was speaking in a fireside chat with Aakrit Vaish, Adviser, IndiaAI Mission in the 2nd edition of Startup Mahakumbh.

He also pointed out that Initially, there was skepticism about whether India should pursue this at all, given the high costs and resources required to build a large-scale foundational model.

“However, perspectives evolved through extensive discussions and expert consultations. The consensus emerged that India should have its own foundational AI model—not necessarily a large language model but one tailored to the country’s unique needs. This includes addressing linguistic diversity, ensuring relevance across regions, and focusing on sector-specific applications critical to India’s growth”, he added.

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The use of open-source systems is a crucial topic of debate within the AI ecosystem, especially for a country like India as it prepares to develop its first foundational model.

Over which, MeitY Secretary said, “Another major concern was the long-term accessibility of open AI models. While some models are open today, there is no guarantee they will remain so in the future. This realization further reinforced the need for India to develop its own capabilities while leveraging existing models.”

Krishnan highlighted AI's significant contributions to the manufacturing industry, a fundamental sector that drives the economy, generates employment, and enhances productivity.

He also expressed particular enthusiasm for AI's potential in governance, highlighting it as one of the most exciting use cases.

India has a legacy of making a lasting global impact through its mission-driven vision. Emphasising this, MeitY Secretary said, “India brings a strong, positive message to global forums by showcasing its ability to support the Global South—leveraging both its skilled human resources and growing infrastructure. Having successfully implemented Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), India is now poised to integrate AI, further enhancing efficiency. By taking a leadership role in this space, India can ensure its advancements remain accessible and beneficial to other countries in the Global South.”

Startup Mahakumbh is spearheaded by India’s foremost Startup Ecosystem Leaders and led by FICCI in collaboration with ASSOCHAM, IVCA, NASSCOM, Bootstrap Foundation, and other key industry stakeholders, with support from the National Startup Advisory Council (NSAC), DPIIT, and Startup India.