Dr Vishal Sharma
BharatGen – a groundbreaking initiative in generative AI, was officially launched by India on September 30, 2024, positions the country as a global leader in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It marks a significant global milestone as the world’s first government-funded multimodal Large Language Model (LLM) project focused on developing inclusive and efficient AI solutions in Indian languages. It is a significant new project in generative AI, a type of artificial intelligence that can create text, images, or even sounds. This ambitious project is poised to revolutionize public service delivery and enhance citizen engagement by developing a comprehensive suite of foundational models in language, speech, and computer vision, tailored specifically to the Indian context. This initiative reflects India’s proactive approach in leading the future of AI on its own terms, addressing local challenges while keeping pace with global advancements.
Who is managing BharatGen
BharatGen is spearheaded by IIT Bombay under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. The implementation is overseen by the TIH Foundation for IOT and IOE (TIH-IoT) at IIT Bombay, with collaboration from top-tier institutions such as IIT Madras, IIT Mandi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad, IIM Indore and IIIT Hyderabad. TIH-IoT focuses on creating a self-sustained effort towards cutting-edge innovation through continuous research leading to a robust ecosystem consisting of entrepreneurship in advanced technology and innovation backed by the brightest minds in the country. The goal is to position the country as a leader in technology-driven economic growth.
Addressing India’s Socio-Cultural and Linguistic diversity
The vision behind BharatGen goes beyond technical innovation; it aims to cater to the broader needs of India’s socio-cultural and linguistic diversity. By developing AI models in multiple languages, BharatGen aims to support social equity, cultural preservation, and inclusive technology development. This will make digital services and the internet more accessible to citizens across the country. It seeks to ensure that generative AI reaches all corners of Indian society, from government services to private sectors, and particularly in areas where technology has traditionally been underutilized.
Key Features of BharatGen
BharatGen distinguishes itself from global AI projects through its focus on three core elements:
Multilingual and Multimodal Models: The initiative prioritizes the development of AI models that work seamlessly across various Indian languages, dialects, and modalities (text, speech, and vision), ensuring that even less-represented languages are effectively supported.
India-Centric Datasets: BharatGen builds and trains its AI models on datasets derived from Indian contexts, focusing on the tones of local languages, cultural practices, and societal needs.
Open-Source Platform: By making these generative AI models available on an open-source platform, BharatGen democratizes access to AI research and innovation, enabling startups, researchers, and academic institutions to leverage these models for further development.
Aligns with India’s Vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat”:
BharatGen aligns closely with the vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” by creating AI models specifically tailored for India’s unique linguistic and socio-cultural landscape. Through this initiative, India is reducing its reliance on foreign AI technologies and fostering a self-reliant domestic AI ecosystem that empowers startups, industries, and public agencies.
A core feature of BharatGen’s approach is its focus on data-efficient learning, especially for Indian languages with limited digital representation. By conducting fundamental research and collaborating with academic institutions, BharatGen seeks to develop models that perform well even with minimal data, which is critical for preserving languages that are often overlooked in global AI efforts. In addition to building advanced AI models, BharatGen will foster a vibrant research and innovation ecosystem within the country. This includes hosting training programs, organizing hackathons, and establishing collaborations with global AI experts. By promoting a culture of AI research and development, it will cultivate a new generation of AI innovators in India.
The Final Thought
Looking ahead, BharatGen has a detailed roadmap extending through July 2026 with key milestones such as the development of advanced AI models, the creation of benchmarks tailored to Indian requirements, and scaling the adoption of these technologies across various sectors. The initiative will also expand AI’s role in public service delivery, positioning generative AI as a cornerstone of India’s digital transformation.
By addressing the challenges of language representation, data sovereignty, and equitable AI access, BharatGen is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI in India. Through its comprehensive and inclusive approach, BharatGen ensures that India’s diverse voices are heard and respected in the digital age. It will also prioritize data-efficient learning, particularly for Indian languages with limited digital presence. This approach will help bridge the digital divide and ensure that the benefits of AI technology reach all sections of society. I am confident that as BharatGen evolves, it will play a pivotal role in shaping India’s digital future while making significant contributions to global AI advancements.
(The author is Head of Electronics & IT, GCW Udhampur)
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