**Executive Summary**
This report, posted on February 11, 2026, by PIB Delhi, highlights the Indian government's initiatives and reforms aimed at boosting AI and space technology sectors. It details the IndiaAI mission and investments in AI, along with government policies supporting the growth of technology startups. Key dates include the India AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for February 16-20, 2026, in New Delhi.
**Key Points / Main Content**
*AI and Deep Tech Development*
* India is ranked 3rd globally for AI competitiveness and ecosystem vibrancy (Stanford Global AI Vibrancy 2025 report).
* IndiaAI Mission was launched with an outlay of ₹10,372 Cr.
* Over 38,000 GPUs are provided to Indian startups and academia.
* 12 teams are shortlisted to develop indigenous foundational models or Large Language Models.
* 30 applications have been approved for developing India-specific AI applications.
* Support provided to over 8,000 undergraduate, 5,000 postgraduate, and 500 PhD students.
* 27 India Data and AI labs are established; 543 more identified.
* Private sector investment in AI in India reached approximately $11.1 Billion (Stanford AI Index Report 2025).
* Google has announced an AI Hub in Visakhapatnam with a $15 Billion investment.
* Tata Group invested $11 Billion for an AI innovation city in Maharashtra.
*Government Initiatives and Policy*
* The government has notified the Indian Space Policy, 2023, which delineates roles of ISRO, IN-SPACe, and industry.
* IN-SPACe has been established as a single-window agency for non-government space activities.
* A ₹1,000 crore Venture Capital Fund for the space sector has been approved.
* IN-SPACe launched a ₹500 crore Technology Adoption Fund.
* FDI norms have been liberalized, permitting up to 100% FDI in satellite manufacturing and components.
* A National Deep Tech Startup Policy has been formulated.
* A ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund has been announced.
* National missions such as National Quantum Mission, IndiaAI Mission and RDI are designed to drive applied research.
*R&D and Innovation*
* The Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) as a percentage of GDP is 0.64%.
* India's ranking in the Global Innovation Index (GII) has risen from 81st in 2015 to 38th in 2025.
* The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has been established.
* A new Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund has been announced with an outlay of ₹1 lakh crore.
**Impact Analysis**
**Startups and MSMEs**
*Impact:* Benefit from funding, infrastructure, and support for developing advanced technologies.
*Action Required:* Leverage the provided funding, resources and policies for growth and commercialisation.
**Researchers, Policymakers, and Practitioners**
*Impact:* Encouraged to collaborate and bring AI research closer to real-world decision-making, especially at the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026.
*Action Required:* Participate in collaborative initiatives and the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026.
**ISRO, IN-SPACe, and Space Industry**
*Impact:* Clarified roles and increased private sector participation in the space value chain.
*Action Required:* Align with Indian Space Policy, leverage the single-window agency (IN-SPACe), and participate in space activities.
**Students and Academia**
*Impact:* Access to resources like GPUs and support for talent development in AI.
*Action Required:* Utilise provided resources and training to enhance AI skills and research.
Key Entities Referenced
IndiaAI Mission: Government of India mission focused on the development of the overall AI ecosystem in the country.
Indian Space Policy, 2023: Policy that delineates the roles of ISRO, IN-SPACe and industry in the space sector, enabling private sector participation.
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF): Foundation established under the ANRF Act, 2023, to provide strategic direction, funding, and collaboration for research and development.
IN-SPACe: Single-window agency authorizing, promoting, and supervising non-government space activities.
New Delhi: Location of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
Ministry of Electronics & IT
Encouraged by the Government’s initiatives, the
private sector is increasingly investing in AI in
India
Government undertaking multiple policy measures and
institutional reforms to grow India’s technological and
commercial footprint in space technology
Posted On: 11 FEB 2026 7:29PM by PIB Delhi
India’s innovation ecosystem exhibits strong academic research output in AI and related deep
technologies. In the Stanford Global AI Vibrancy 2025 report, India was ranked 3rd in the world for AI
competitiveness and ecosystem vibrancy. India is also the second-largest contributor to GitHub AI
projects, showcasing its vibrant developer community.
IndiaAI Mission:
In March 2024, Government of India launched IndiaAI mission with outlay of Rs 10,372 Cr for
development of the overall AI ecosystem in the country. In less than 24 months, India AI Mission has set
up a foundation for development of AI ecosystem in the country:
More than 38 thousand GPUs for common compute facility have been onboarded, which are being
provided to Indian start-ups and academia at an affordable rate.
Twelve teams have been shortlisted for development of indigenous foundational models or Large
Language Models.
Thirty applications have been approved for developing India specific AI applications.
More than 8000 undergraduate students, 5000 post graduate students and 500 PhD students are
being supported for talent development.
27 India Data and AI labs have been established and 543 more have been identified.
India is actively participating in shaping global debate on development, usage and safety of AI. India was
the founder chair of Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI). India is hosting the India AI
Impact Summit 2026 from 16–20th February 2026 at New Delhi. For the first time, the global AI summit
series will take place in the Global South. The shift signals a broader move toward a more inclusive global
AI dialogue.
Private Sector Investment in AI
Encouraged by the Government’s initiatives, the private sector is increasingly investing in AI in India.
According to the Stanford AI Index Report 2025, India’s cumulative private investment in AI from 2013 to
2024 reached approximately $11.1 Billion.Google has recently announced the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub in Visakhapatnam
(Vizag), Andhra Pradesh. This investment of approximately $15 Billion dollars marks Google’s largest
investment in India to date.
Tata Group has announced a $11 Billion investment for an AI innovation city in Maharashtra.
A Research Symposium on “AI and its Impact” is being organized during the IndiaAI Impact Summit
2026 to bring AI research closer to real-world decision-making by connecting researchers, policymakers
and practitioners.
The Government is strengthening talent development, startup support, and academia–industry
collaboration to ensure research outcomes align with market needs.
Government envisions to significantly grow India’s share in the global space economy. Government is
undertaking multiple policy measures and institutional reforms to grow India’s technological and
commercial footprint in space technology:
The Government has notified the Indian Space Policy, 2023, which clearly delineates the roles of
ISRO, IN-SPACe and industry, thereby enabling private sector participation across the entire space
value chain.
IN-SPACe has been established as a single-window agency to authorise, promote and supervise
non-government space activities, including granting access to ISRO launch pads, testing facilities,
technical infrastructure and expertise.
The Government has approved a ₹1,000crore Venture Capital Fund for the space sector, anchored
by IN-SPACe and managed by SIDBI Venture Capital, to provide growth and early-stage capital to
Indian space startups.
In addition, IN-SPACe has launched a ₹500crore Technology Adoption Fund to help startups
commercialise space technologies, scale manufacturing, and reduce dependence on imports.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) norms in the space sector have been liberalised, permitting up to
100% FDI in satellite manufacturing and components, and enhanced limits in launch vehicles and
satellite operations, to attract global capital and technology.
Through NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the Government is expanding India’s footprint in the
global commercial launch market, particularly for small and medium satellites, leveraging India’s
cost-effective and reliable launch capabilities.
National missions and policy programmes: Initiatives such as National Quantum Mission,
IndiaAI Mission and RDI (Research, Development & Innovation) Fund schemes are designed to
drive applied research, accelerate commercialization and attract private capital.
Space Biotechnology: Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) are collaborating in space biotechnology. The key priority areas in Space
Biotechnology include microgravity research, space bio manufacturing, bioastronautics and space
biology.
The Government has taken following steps to boost funding and strengthen the Deep Tech sector:
A National Deep Tech Startup Policy has been formulated to address challenges related to
funding, infrastructure, intellectual property, regulatory clarity and technology commercialisation.
Under the Startup India initiative, deep tech startups have been provided extended eligibility periods
and higher turnover thresholds, enabling them to access tax benefits, exemptions and government
support for a longer duration.
The Government has announced a ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI)
Fund under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to provide long-term,
concessional financing for high-risk, high-impact deep tech projects and to crowd-in private
investment.Sector-specific missions such as the India Semiconductor Mission, National Quantum Mission,
IndiaAI Mission, and space sector reforms are creating stable demand, incentives and market
opportunities for deep tech investments.
Dedicated funding and procurement-linked support mechanisms such as the Technology
Development Fund (TDF) and Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) are supporting
startups and MSMEs developing advanced and strategic technologies.
The Government is also strengthening the incubation and innovation ecosystem through institutions
such as Atal Innovation Mission, government-supported incubators, and technology transfer
programmes linking academia, research institutions and industry.
As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, The Gross Expenditure on Research and Development (GERD) as a
percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is 0.64 per cent. India’s ranking in the Global Innovation
Index (GII) has risen significantly from 81st in 2015 to 38th in 2025.
Government has taken the following measures to create a conducive environment and spur investments in
R&D:
Establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) under the ANRF Act,
2023. The ANRF is intended to provide strategic direction, competitive funding opportunities and
collaboration pathways across industry, academia and government
Mission-driven national programmes such as the National Quantum Mission, the National Mission
on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems, the IndiaAI Mission, the India Semiconductor
Mission, and the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Each initiative focuses on building
foundational scientific capability in sunrise domains, translating research into scalable industrial
capacity
To finance innovation at scale, the Government also announced a new Research, Development and
Innovation (RDI) Fund with a total outlay of ₹1 lakh crore.
Together, the ANRF, the national missions and the RDI Fund form a consolidated architecture for
expanding India’s GERD.
This information was submitted by Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Shri Ashwini
Vaishnaw in Lok Sabha on 11.02.2026
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