India Launches BharatGen for AI in Indian Languages
India has taken a significant step in advancing artificial intelligence (AI) by launching the BharatGen project, aimed at making generative AI accessible in various Indian languages. The initiative, unveiled on September 30, is the world’s first State-funded project of its kind, according to Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh. Spearheaded by IIT Bombay under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), BharatGen aims to create AI systems capable of generating high-quality text and multimodal content in multiple Indian languages.
The project was launched in the presence of key officials, including Principal Scientific Advisor A.K. Sood, Department of Science and Technology Secretary Abhay Karandikar, and Department of Telecommunications Secretary Neeraj Mittal. Minister Singh, though unable to attend in person, sent a video message emphasizing the importance of the initiative.
A unique aspect of BharatGen is its open-source foundational models, designed to democratize AI across India. By providing accessible AI technologies, the project aims to foster a collaborative environment for researchers and developers, enabling them to build innovative solutions that can be utilized across government, private, educational, and research sectors. The project is expected to be completed within two years.
Additionally, BharatGen focuses on developing data-efficient AI models, especially for Indian languages with limited digital representation. Through collaboration with academic institutions and research groups, the initiative aims to create AI systems that perform effectively even with minimal data, addressing a critical gap in global AI efforts for underrepresented languages.
During the same event, Sood also launched four thematic hubs (T-Hubs) under the National Quantum Mission (NQM). These T-Hubs, established at prestigious institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru and Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) in Madras, Bombay, and Delhi, will focus on Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing and Metrology, and Quantum Materials and Devices.
Each T-Hub will function under the Hub-Spoke-Spike model, promoting collaboration among research institutions and leveraging resources and expertise to drive innovation in the quantum field. This initiative positions India to become a global leader in quantum technology while BharatGen strengthens the nation’s AI capabilities across diverse linguistic landscapes.
