**Executive Summary**
The India-AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for February 16-20, 2026, in New Delhi, will be the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South. The summit aims to advance a people-centric approach to AI, emphasizing measurable social and economic outcomes anchored on three foundational pillars: People, Planet, and Progress. The event expects to host over 300 exhibitors from 30 countries and will feature thematic casebooks released on February 17, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Summit Overview:**
* The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 will be held in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
* It is a five-day program covering policy, research, industry, and public engagement.
* The summit will feature an AI Impact Expo with over 300 exhibitors from 30 countries.
* The summit is anchored on three 'Sutras': People, Planet, and Progress.
* **Key Themes (Seven Chakras):**
* **Human Capital:** Building an equitable AI reskilling ecosystem.
* **Inclusion for Social Empowerment:** Enabling inclusive participation through shared AI solutions.
* **Safe and Trusted AI:** Translating global principles for responsible AI.
* **Resilience, Innovation, and Efficiency:** Addressing environmental and resource challenges.
* **Science:** Harnessing AI to accelerate discovery and correct inequities in access.
* **Democratizing AI Resources:** Ensuring equitable access to AI development enablers.
* **AI for Economic Growth & Social Good:** Harnessing AI for inclusive growth.
* **Flagship Events:**
* **AI for ALL: Global Impact Challenge:** Identifying AI solutions with large-scale impact (awards up to INR 2.50 crore).
* **AI by HER: Global Impact Challenge:** Promoting women-led innovation in AI (awards up to INR 2.50 crore).
* **YUVAi: Global Youth Challenge:** Encouraging youth to develop AI solutions (prizes worth up to INR 85 lakh).
* **Research Symposium:** Organized on February 18, 2026, focusing on AI's impact.
* **India AI Impact Expo 2026:** A business-focused platform showcasing AI solutions across sectors.
* **India AI Tinkerpreneur:** A bootcamp building AI and entrepreneurial skills for school students.
* **Institutional Frameworks:**
* **MeitY:** Provides policy direction for AI and digital technologies.
* **IndiaAI Mission:** Supports AI development and shapes core themes of the Summit.
* **STPI:** Supports the innovation and participation of startups and MSMEs.
* **Digital India Initiative:** Provides the foundational framework for AI adoption.
**Impact Analysis**
**Governments (Central & State)**
* **Impact:** Governments will be key players in shaping AI policy, governance, and regulations. They are expected to collaborate in identifying region-specific AI use cases, and capacity gaps.
* **Action Required:** Align national and regional AI priorities, participate in state-center collaborations, and implement outcomes of the summit into national programmes.
**AI Innovators, Startups, and Researchers**
* **Impact:** The summit provides opportunities to showcase AI solutions, access funding, and collaborate with industry and academia.
* **Action Required:** Participate in challenges, submit proposals, and engage in networking and knowledge-sharing sessions.
**Industry (Technology Companies)**
* **Impact:** The summit offers a platform to identify practical approaches for development-oriented AI deployment, and promote responsible and ethical AI.
* **Action Required:** Share policy experiences, explore potential partnerships, and contribute to AI development initiatives.
**Citizens**
* **Impact:** Citizens are expected to benefit from AI advancements in governance, healthcare, education, agriculture, and other public services.
* **Action Required:** Engage with AI-driven platforms, participate in surveys and consultations, and provide feedback on service delivery.
Key Entities Referenced
India-AI Impact Summit 2026: A global AI summit hosted in the Global South, aiming to advance an impact-oriented and people-centric approach to AI.
IndiaAI Mission: A flagship mission supporting AI development in India, shaping the core themes of the summit, including AI compute infrastructure, datasets, indigenous AI models, skilling, and startup support.
Digital India Initiative: Provides the foundational framework for large-scale AI adoption in India, emphasizing digital public platforms, inclusion, and citizen-centric governance, reflected in Summit themes.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY): Provides overall policy direction for AI and digital technologies in India, anchoring the Summit within national priorities and ensuring inter-ministerial coordination.
Global South: Region where the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 is hosted.
PIB Headquarters
India-AI Impact Summit 2026
Welfare for All, Happiness of All
प्रव तथ: 21 JAN 2026 1:58PM by PIB Delhi
Key Takeaways
The India–AI Impact Summit 2026 will be the first global AI summit to be hosted in the
Global South.
It will be held from 16 to 20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, as a five-day
programme covering policy, research, industry, and public engagement.
It will be anchored on 3 foundational pillars, or 'Sutras': People, Planet and Progress.
The India AI Impact Expo is expected to feature over 300 exhibitors, from 30 Countries, across
more than 10 thematic pavilions.
*The numbers are tentative and subject to revisions.
Introduction
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a key enabler of India’s development journey, strengthening governance and
improving public service delivery. For India, AI supports inclusive growth at scale and aligns with the
vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. India’s linguistic and cultural diversity positions it strongly for advancing
multi-lingual and multi-modal AI systems tailored to diverse public needs.
Building on India’s development-focused approach to AI, the India–AI Impact Summit 2026is scheduled
to be held on 16–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The summit will be the first
global AI summit to be hosted in the Global South. It will bring together global leaders, policymakers,
technology companies, innovators, and experts to showcase and deliberate on the transformative potential
of AI across governance, innovation, and sustainable development.
Taking forward outcomes from major international AI forums, India’s approach through the India–AI
Impact Summit 2026 will focus on translating global discussions into development outcomes aligned with
national priorities under the IndiaAI mission and Digital India Initiative. It will strengthen multilateralcooperation while advancing practical, people-centric AI frameworks relevant to India’s governance,
economy, and society.
Significance of AI for India
AI has emerged as a transformative force with the potential to accelerate India’s economic growth,
strengthen governance and improve the quality of life of citizens, anchored in the principles of People,
Planet, and Progress. For People, AI-enabled solutions are empowering citizens by expanding
healthcare access through telemedicine and diagnostics, personalizing education through adaptive
learning, and securing financial systems through fraud detection. For the Planet, AI is enabling
smarter and more sustainable practices in agriculture through crop prediction, precision farming,
and drone-based monitoring. For Progress, AI is strengthening governance through language
translation of court judgments, improving service delivery, and enhancing everyday efficiency
through applications in food delivery, mobility, and personalized digital services, reflecting a shift
towards inclusive and accessible technology for both rural and urban India.
1. AI In Healthcare: AI is improving healthcare access and outcomes, particularly in rural and
underserved areas. AI-enabled remote diagnostics and portable tools support disease detection
where doctors are scarce, while automated blood and urine testing accelerates diagnosis and
treatment. AI-powered telemedicine, including chatbots and symptom checkers, connects rural
patients to doctors, reducing travel and wait times. AI-based medical image analysis enables faster
diagnosis of TB, cancer, and other conditions in remote areas. Predictive analytics support disease
outbreak forecasting, while AI-driven drug discovery and personalized therapies improve
affordability and outcomes for chronic conditions.
2. AI in Agriculture & Rural Economy: AI is enabling smarter, data-driven farming practices to
enhance productivity and farmer incomes. AI predicts weather, pest outbreaks, and irrigation needs,
guiding farmers through mobile advisories. AI-powered drones monitor crop health and reduce
waste, while satellite imagery and weather data support harvest forecasting. Market price prediction
models help farmers anticipate demand and supply trends. Tools such as Mossum GPT and
initiatives like Kisan E-Mitra provide real-time, localized agricultural information in regional
languages.
3. AI in Education & Learning: AI is making education more personalized, inclusive, and
accessible. AI-driven platforms adapt learning content to individual student needs, supporting both
slow learners and advanced students. AI-powered language translation removes linguistic barriers
by converting content into regional languages. AI-based tutoring systems offer instant feedback and
24/7 learning support. Platforms such as DIKSHA use AI to deliver relevant and accessible
educational content across diverse learner groups.
4. AI in Finance & Commerce: AI is strengthening financial security, inclusion, and service
efficiency. AI-powered systems detect fraud and secure digital transactions in real time. AI-based credit
scoring expands access to loans for unbanked and underserved populations. Banking chatbots provide
24/7 assistance for routine services such as balance checks and fund transfers, reducing wait times. AI-
driven personalization enables tailored financial products and advice.
5. AI in Governance & Public Services: AI is enhancing the efficiency, accessibility, and
transparency of public services. AI-assisted translation of court judgments into vernacular
languages improves access to justice. AI supports smart city management by optimizing traffic,waste, and public safety systems. AI streamlines government service delivery by reducing
processing times for schemes and applications. In the judiciary, AI improves case management and
legal accessibility.
Recognising the strategic importance of AI, the Government of India has accorded high priority to
building a robust and inclusive AI ecosystem. Initiatives such as the IndiaAI Mission, development of AI
compute infrastructure, promotion of indigenous AI models, and large-scale capacity-building
programmes are laying a strong foundation for responsible and trusted AI adoption in the country.
Further, the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 will focus on strengthening global collaboration, promoting
responsible and ethical AI, and accelerating AI adoption across priority sectors of the economy. The
Summit is expected to play a catalytic role in positioning India as a global hub for AI innovation and
deployment, aligned with the vision of a digitally empowered and technology-driven India.
Foundational Pillars: The Three Sutras and Seven Chakras Driving Global Collaboration of AI
Impact
The India–AI Impact Summit 2026 aims to advance an impact-oriented and people-centric approach to
Artificial Intelligence, with emphasis on delivering measurable social and economic outcomes. The
Summit will be anchored on three foundational pillars, known as 'Sutras'—a Sanskrit term meaning
guiding principles or essential threads that weave together wisdom and action. These Sutras define how AI
can be harnessed through multilateral cooperation for collective benefit.
Building on the three foundational Sutras, the deliberations at the AI Impact Summit will be structured
around 7 Chakras. These Chakras represent key areas of multilateral cooperation that channel collective
efforts towards inclusive and sustainable societal outcomes. 111. Human Capital: This chakra focuses on building an equitable AI reskilling ecosystem through
targeted skilling. For India, this strengthens workforce readiness for the AI economy, aligned with
national development priorities.
2. Inclusion for Social Empowerment: This chakra focuses on enabling inclusive participation
through shared AI solutions and scalable models. This supports delivery of citizen-centric AI
solutions and strengthens last-mile services in India.
3. Safe and Trusted AI: This chakra focuses on translating global principles for responsible AI into
practical, interoperable safety and governance frameworks. For India, this strengthens domestic AI
governance, supports safe deployment of AI across public platforms and builds public trust while
enabling innovation.
4. Resilience, Innovation and Efficiency: This chakra focuses on addressing the growing
environmental and resource challenges posed by large scale AI systems, which risk deepening the
global AI divide. For India, it supports sustainable AI adoption, ensuring AI growth remains
environmentally responsible and socially equitable.5. Science: This chakra focuses on harnessing AI to accelerate discovery while correcting deep
inequities in access to data, compute, and research capacity. For India, it strengthens research
ecosystems, accelerates solutions in health, agriculture, and climate, and positions India as an active
contributor to global scientific advancement.
6. Democratizing AI Resources: This chakra envisions a global AI ecosystem where access to
foundational enablers of AI development is equitable and affordable for all. For India, it expands
access for startups, researchers, and public institutions while ensuring equitable participation in
global AI value chains.
7. AI for Economic Growth & Social Good: This chakra explores approaches to harness AI’s
potential for truly inclusive growth, recognising and supporting high impact use cases that become
exemplars of AI for both economic growth and social good.
Together, these Chakras provide a comprehensive framework for countries, international organisations,
and stakeholders to align AI strategies, promote shared learning, and deploy AI solutions that maximise
collective benefits while addressing common challenges.
AI Impact Events at the Summit
The objectives of the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 are operationalised by the AI Impact Events. The
events provide structured platforms to present Indian AI initiatives, sectoral use cases, and institutional
frameworks, while enabling feedback, peer learning, and international benchmarking.
Pre-Summit Events
Pre-Summit Events have been organised as part of the preparatory process for the India–AI Impact
Summit 2026 to facilitate early consultations and focused thematic discussions. These engagements, held
in India and abroad, bring together governments, academic and research institutions, industry, startups,
and civil society.
Regional AI ConferencesRegional AI Conferences are being organised as part of the lead-up to the India–AI Impact Summit 2026
to align national AI priorities with regional needs. Eight conferences held between October 2025 and
January 2026 across Meghalaya, Gujarat, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan,
Kerala, and Telangana, partnered with state governments will identify region-specific AI use cases,
policy inputs, and capacity gaps. The deliberations will inform the agenda and outcomes of the India–AI
Impact Summit 2026.
Main Summit
The Main Summit will be organised across the seven Chakras of the Summit. These sessions will bring
together industry, academia, and international partners to examine use cases, share policy experiences, and
identify practical approaches for development-oriented deployment of AI. The strong global response to
the Summit is reflected in the receipt of over 700 proposals.
AI Compendium
The AI Compendium is a key knowledge output of the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 and will be released
during the Summit on 17 February 2026. It comprises a set of thematic casebooks documenting real-
world applications of Artificial Intelligence across priority sectors. It will serve as a reference resource for
practitioners, and stakeholders, and support continued collaboration and adoption of responsible and
development-oriented AI solutions beyond the Summit.
Flagship Events
AI for ALL: Global Impact Challenge is aimed at identifying AI solutions with potential for large-scale
impact. Implemented in partnership with Startup India under the Department for Promotion of Industry
and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and the Digital India Bhashini Division, the
Challenge invites participation from students, working professionals, researchers, and startups. It focuses
on widely deployable AI solutions across sectors such as urban infrastructure and mobility. Selected
solutions will be showcased at the Summit, with awards up to INR 2.50 crore.
AI by HER: Global Impact Challenge is aimed at promoting women-led innovation in AI. Implemented
in partnership with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform, the Challenge invites women
technologists to present AI solutions addressing large-scale and real-world public challenges. Selected
solutions will be showcased at the Summit, with awards up to INR 2.50 crore.
YUVAi: Global Youth Challenge is aimed at encouraging young innovators to develop AI solutions for
real-world challenges. The Challenge invites participation from youth individuals and teams in the 13–21
age group. It is being implemented in partnership with MyBharat and the National Institute of Electronics
and Information Technology, to bring their most innovative AI solutions to solve real-world problems.
Selected participants will receive awards, with prizes worth up to INR 85 lakh.
Research Symposium on AI and its Impact will be organised on 18 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam,
New Delhi, as part of the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, with IIIT Hyderabad as the knowledge partner.
The Symposium will bring together researchers, the Global South, and the international community to
present frontier research, exchange evidence, and foster collaboration on the impact of AI. It will feature
plenary sessions, international research presentations, and Global South research and poster
showcases.The India AI Impact Expo 2026 is being organised by the MeitY, with Software Technology Parks of
India as the custodian. The expo is spread across over 70,000 square metres. The Expo is expected to host
visitors from across the globe across seven thematic pavilions. Designed as a business-focused platform, it
will demonstrate the transition of Artificial Intelligence from research and pilots to large-scale
deployment, bringing together innovators and investors to engage on AI solutions addressing sectoral and
global challenges.
India AI Tinkerpreneur is a national-level summer bootcamp aligned with the India–AI Impact Summit
2026, aimed at building AI and entrepreneurial capabilities among school students from Classes 6 to
12. The programme equips young learners with hands-on exposure to AI tools and technologies and
encourages them to develop AI-enabled products and solutions addressing social-impact challenges.
Through structured online sessions, mentorship by industry and academic experts, and guidance from
ideation to execution, the initiative promotes innovation, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial thinking at
an early stage.
Agenda of Events and Notable Attendees at the India-AI Impact Summit
Beginning with the India Innovation Festival, the programme builds momentum through policy panels,
knowledge launches, research and industry sessions, and culminates in leader-level engagements and
Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) Council meetings.
Date Event Venue
16–20 February AI Impact Expo Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
2026
16 February 2026 Keynotes, Panel Discussions, Bharat Mandapam/ Sushma Swaraj
Roundtables Bhawan/ Ambedkar Bhawan, New
Delhi
17 February 2026 Release of Knowledge Compendiums Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
on AI in Health, Energy, Education,
Agriculture, Gender Empowerment,
Accessibility
Seminar on Applied AI
AI by HER: Global Impact Challenge Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi
Keynotes, Panel Discussions, Bharat Mandapam/ Sushma Swaraj
Roundtables Bhawan/ Ambedkar Bhawan, New
Delhi18 February 2026 Research Symposium Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Industry Session
AI by HER: Global Impact Challenge Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi
Keynotes, Panel Discussions, Bharat Mandapam/ Sushma Swaraj
Roundtables Bhawan/ Ambedkar Bhawan, New
Delhi
Summit Dinner Convention Centre, New Delhi
19 February 2026 Opening Ceremony Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Leaders’ Plenary
CEO Roundtable
Keynotes / Panel Discussion/ Bharat Mandapam / Sushma Swaraj
Roundtables Bhawan / Ambedkar Bhawan, New
Delhi
20 February 2026 GPAI Council Meeting Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Keynotes/ Panel Discussion/ Bharat Mandapam / Sushma Swaraj
Roundtables Bhawan / Ambedkar Bhawan, New
Delhi
*(Agenda as on 21 January, 2026)- The agenda is tentative and subject to revisions.*The list of notable attendees is tentative and subject to revisions.
Key Institutional Frameworks Involved in the Summit
The India–AI Impact Summit 2026 is supported by core government institutions responsible for policy
formulation, programme implementation, ecosystem development, and digital infrastructure. Their
involvement provides administrative leadership, technical support, and institutional continuity, ensuring
that the Summit is grounded in existing national initiatives and capable of translating discussions into
actionable outcomes.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
MeitY provides overall policy direction for AI and digital technologies in India. The Ministry anchors
the Summit within national priorities on artificial intelligence, electronics, digital governance, and
trusted technology adoption. Its role ensures inter-ministerial coordination, alignment with state
governments, and integration of Summit outcomes with ongoing national programmes and regulatory
frameworks.
IndiaAI Mission
IndiaAI Mission is a flagship mission supporting AI development in India. The Mission shapes the
core themes of the Summit, including AI compute infrastructure, datasets, indigenous AI models,
skilling, and startup support. It highlights ongoing government efforts to promote safe, responsible,
and inclusive use of artificial intelligence.
Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)
STPI supports the innovation and participation of startups, MSMEs, and innovators in the Summit. It
provides incubation facilities, technical infrastructure, and industry linkages. Its network of centres
across the country enables wider regional participation and supports growth of AI-driven enterprises. It
helps connect AI innovators with industry, global markets, and export opportunities, strengthening
India’s position in the global digital economy.
Digital India Initiative
Digital India provides the foundational framework for large-scale AI adoption in India. Its emphasis on
digital public platforms, inclusion, and citizen-centric governance is reflected in Summit themes.
Digital India ensures AI solutions showcased at the Summit align with service delivery, accessibility,
transparency, and public trust at national scale.
Expected Outcomes of the SummitThe India AI Impact Summit 2026 is expected to deliver focused, outcome-driven results aligned with
national priorities. The Summit will emphasise practical AI deployment, policy alignment, and
institutional coordination to support effective implementation across government and industry. It will
strengthen governance and regulatory frameworks, assess regional preparedness for AI-led industrial
growth, and promote skill development and workforce transition. The Summit will also expand awareness
and understanding of AI applications, and foster sustained partnerships among government, academia,
startups, and industry to enable responsible and inclusive growth of the AI ecosystem.
Conclusion
The India–AI Impact Summit 2026 positions Artificial Intelligence as a strategic enabler for India’s
development priorities. The Summit consolidates learnings from national and regional engagements to
identify practical pathways for applying AI in governance, public service delivery, research, and industry.
It supports the objectives of Digital India by strengthening the role of AI in digital public infrastructure,
platform-based service delivery, and data-driven decision-making across sectors.The Summit reinforces
the Digital India initiative by strengthening the role of AI within digital public infrastructure and
technology-enabled service delivery. At the same time, it advances national self-reliance by emphasizing
domestic capabilities in compute infrastructure, datasets, talent development, and indigenous innovation.
References
https://impact.indiaai.gov.in/
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