India unveils three indigenous AI foundation models under national mission

India has taken another stride in its artificial intelligence development roadmap with the release of three indigenous foundation models—EKA-1, Dhīr 2B and Dhīr 5B—under the IndiaAI Mission. These models represent a concerted effort to build domestically developed AI capabilities tailored to India's unique needs and requirements.

The foundation models are designed to serve as building blocks for various AI applications across sectors including healthcare, agriculture, education and business. By developing these models domestically, India aims to strengthen its technological sovereignty while creating a foundation for further innovation in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

The release of these three models underscores India's commitment to fostering a robust AI ecosystem. The IndiaAI Mission, which drives this initiative, seeks to position India as a significant player in global AI development while ensuring that the technology serves the nation's economic and social priorities.

These indigenous models are expected to accelerate research and development activities among Indian startups, academic institutions and enterprises. By providing homegrown alternatives to international AI models, India is working to reduce dependency on external solutions while creating opportunities for local innovation and entrepreneurship in the AI sector.