Centre funds 12 AI projects for sovereign models; BharatGen gets 4x the next highest allocation at over Rs 1000 crore

The Indian government has recently announced its support for 12 artificial intelligence (AI) firms under the IndiaAI Mission, aiming to develop sovereign foundational models. This initiative is part of the government's broader strategy to foster a robust AI ecosystem and ensure India's technological independence. Among the selected organizations, BharatGen, an IIT Bombay-led consortium, has received the highest funding allocation of over Rs 1,058.52 crore, which is more than four times the next highest allocation.

The 12 AI firms chosen for this mission are Sarvam AI, Soket AI, Gnani AI, Gan AI, Avataar AI, IIT Bombay Consortium (BharatGen), GenLoop, Zenteiq, Intellihealth, Shodh AI, Fractal Analytics, and Tech Mahindra Maker’s Lab. These organizations will work on developing AI models tailored to India's unique linguistic diversity and various sectors such as healthcare, finance, legal, and agriculture.

During the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026, Sarvam AI, BharatGen, and Gnani AI unveiled their models, which are now available on the AIKosh platform. The AIKosh platform is a government-led initiative that aims to provide accessible and reliable AI solutions for public use.

The financial support provided under the IndiaAI Mission is split between computing and non-computing costs. BharatGen, which is leading the development of multilingual, multimodal models across sectors like finance, legal, and health, has received the highest allocation. This significant funding is intended to support the consortium's research and development efforts in creating advanced AI models that cater to India's diverse needs.

Other organizations have also been allocated varying levels of support. For instance, Sarvam AI, which is developing a 120B parameter open-source model for governance and public service use cases, has received a substantial amount of funding. Similarly, Soket AI is building a 120B parameter open-source model optimized for India's linguistic diversity across sectors such as defence and healthcare.

Gnani AI is focusing on developing a 14B parameter voice AI model for multilingual, real-time speech processing. Gan AI is creating a 70B parameter multilingual model with advanced text-to-speech capabilities. Avataar AI is working on building AI avatars up to 70B parameters for sectors like agriculture and governance, optimized for Indian languages. GenLoop is developing small language models (2B) for all 22 scheduled Indian languages with reasoning and moderation features.

The government's decision to fund these AI projects highlights its commitment to building a robust and self-reliant AI ecosystem in India. By supporting a diverse range of organizations working on different AI models, the government aims to ensure that India's technological advancements are not dependent on foreign entities. The successful execution of these projects will not only boost India's AI capabilities but also contribute to the country's economic growth and social development.

The IndiaAI Mission's focus on sovereign models is crucial in an era where AI is becoming increasingly important in various sectors. By investing in domestic AI capabilities, India can ensure that its technological progress aligns with its national interests and values. The recent announcement of funding for these 12 AI projects is a significant step towards achieving this goal.

In conclusion, the Indian government's decision to fund 12 AI projects under the IndiaAI Mission is a bold move towards building a self-reliant AI ecosystem. With BharatGen receiving the highest allocation, the government is demonstrating its confidence in the potential of domestic AI research and development. The successful implementation of these projects will not only enhance India's technological prowess but also position the country as a global leader in AI innovation.