MeitY Announces ₹500 Crore Grants for Indigenous AI Research

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has announced a new round of research grants totaling ₹500 crore to foster innovation in artificial intelligence across India. These grants are designed to support academic institutions and startups working on AI applications in critical sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and smart infrastructure.

Part of the broader National AI Strategy 2026, this funding initiative is expected to accelerate homegrown AI development and address key societal challenges. By targeting domestic researchers and early-stage companies, the program aims to build robust technological capabilities tailored specifically to India's unique socio-economic landscape.

Stakeholders across the technology sector anticipate that these targeted financial injections will help bridge the resource gap for local innovators by the end of the fiscal year. Academic centers and emerging enterprises can now scale their experimental models into deployable solutions, setting a foundation for long-term technological self-reliance.