Big leap for IndiaAI

The government’s selection of Bengaluru-based start-up Sarvam to develop the country’s first indigenous large language model (LLM) under the `10,370-crore IndiaAI Mission is certainly a commendable step. The announcement regarding the intent to build a home-grown foundational artificial intelligence (AI) model was made in January, and Sarvam’s selection from 67 applicants followed within just two to three months. This rapid decision-making reflects a sense of urgency and ambition to position the country as a global AI contender, especially amid the disruptive rise of China’s low-cost, open-source DeepSeek model.