<p>New Delhi, June 3, 2025 &mdash; The Government of India, through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), today launched the &quot;National AI Innovation Program&quot; aimed at accelerating the country&rsquo;s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities across industries and sectors.</p>

<p>The program was inaugurated by Union Minister of Electronics and IT, Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, in a high-profile event attended by top tech leaders, research institutions, and international AI experts. The initiative is part of the government&rsquo;s broader &ldquo;Digital India 2030&rdquo; vision.</p>

<h2>**Key objectives of the program include:**</h2>

<ul>
	<li>Establishing 20 AI research centers across the country.</li>
	<li>&nbsp;Providing grants of up to ₹50 crore for AI startups working in critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and education.</li>
	<li>&nbsp;Partnering with academic institutions to develop AI-focused curricula.</li>
	<li>Creating a regulatory and ethical framework for safe AI deployment.</li>
</ul>

<p>Speaking at the launch, Minister Chandrasekhar said: &nbsp;<br />
*&quot;India must not only be an AI user but also a global leader in AI innovation. This program is a step toward achieving that goal while ensuring responsible and inclusive AI development.&quot;*</p>

<p>The government also announced a public-private partnership model under which corporations can co-invest in AI infrastructure and research. Companies like Infosys, Google India, and TCS have expressed interest in participating.</p>

<p>**Industry Response** &nbsp;<br />
Leading figures from the startup ecosystem welcomed the move. Radhika Mehta, CEO of AI-health startup NeuroScan, remarked: &nbsp;<br />
*&quot;This is a massive boost for Indian innovation. Government support of this scale is a game-changer for early-stage startups.&quot;*</p>

<p>The government plans to monitor progress through a dedicated AI Task Force, with annual reviews and publicly available impact reports.</p>

<p>The program is set to roll out in phases, with the first phase focusing on Tier-II cities to foster inclusive technological growth beyond metro hubs.</p>

<p>With this launch, India joins nations like the US, UK, and China in establishing a national framework for AI development, research, and regulation.</p>

<p>For more information, visit [www.digitalindia.gov.in](http://www.digitalindia.gov.in)<br />
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