Relevance: GS-3 (Science and Technology)

Source: Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Context

The Government has approved a national mission to create large-scale artificial intelligence compute capacity so that India can support advanced artificial intelligence research and start-up innovation.

Key Features of the Mission

• Establishment of a national artificial intelligence compute grid with high-performance processing systems.
• A public–private partnership model, where government supports infrastructure while industry operates compute centres.
• A unified digital platform to ensure easy access to compute power for start-ups, researchers, and institutions.
• Focus on building indigenous artificial intelligence models and datasets, reducing reliance on foreign systems.

Significance

• Strengthens India’s technological capability.
• Supports digital start-ups and innovation ecosystems.
• Helps India participate meaningfully in the global artificial intelligence economy.

UPSC Prelims Value Box

• Artificial Intelligence Compute Capacity: Refers to the processing power required to train and deploy AI models, often using high-performance processors such as GPUs.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• Implementation Model: Public–Private Partnership framework.

Prelims Practice Question

Q. Consider the following statements about India’s artificial intelligence compute mission:

1. It includes creation of a national grid to provide artificial intelligence compute access to researchers and start-ups.
2. It aims to develop indigenous artificial intelligence models and datasets.
3. It is designed to be implemented purely by private companies without government involvement.

How many statements are correct?

A. One only
B. Two only
C. All three
D. None

Correct Answer: B. Two only

Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because the mission follows a public–private partnership model with active government involvement.

One Line Wrap: India’s AI compute mission aims to build a national grid of high-performance computing to power indigenous AI research and start-up innovation.