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Tag: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

  • MeitY Requests Ideas for Developing India’s Own AI Foundation Paradigm

    Abhishek Singh, additional secretary, Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), stated during his visit to GIFT City in Gujarat on 27 January that India is seeking proposals for developing its own foundational model in order to compete with foreign AI foundational models that serve as the basis for numerous applications such as ChatGPT and Gemini. He added that how India creates a basic model has been a major problem.

    At the moment, every core model that a nation uses, including ChatGPT, Llama 3, Gemini, and Claude, is foreign. China has now developed Deepseek and other models as well. To create an Indian foundational model, India must invest and offer financial assistance. The foreign fundamental models can provide incorrect or unsuitable answers because they were trained on western data sets and are not adapted to Indian languages and contexts.

    Speaking at the opening of the event, where Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was also in attendance, Singh went on to say that the government is putting out a call for proposals to create a foundational model in India so that India can compete with the best in the world. Singh continued without revealing a deadline for the submissions, saying, “I am confident that some of the start-ups and innovators present today will be joining this challenge to build an Indian foundational model.”

    Foundational Model and Risks of AI

    One kind of artificial intelligence model that can handle a variety of jobs is the foundational model. These models can be used in a wide range of applications because they are developed by training on large and varied datasets. While AI has a lot of potential, Singh also believed that there are a lot of risks associated with it. The nation has witnessed how deepfakes and false information operate, as well as how incorrect AI reactions can lead to issues.

    To do this, the government is developing instruments for creating AI that is ethical, responsible, safe, and trustworthy. Tools for identifying algorithmic biases, false information in AI, and deepfakes are being developed by researchers and organisations. CoEs and any start-ups developing it will also have access to these technologies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Paris from February 10–11, when France and India will co-host the AI Action Summit, Singh said, adding that India was engaging “globally in the development of AI governance guidelines.”

    India to Set up 18000 Graphic Processing Units

    According to the additional secretary, India’s IndiaAI Mission aims to establish 18,000 Graphic Processing Units (GPUs) in order to create a high-end, scalable AI computing ecosystem that will assist researchers, academicians, students, and start-ups. In comparison to other nations, India has relatively few GPUs.

    In order to achieve its goal of setting up 10,000 GPUs, the government has held bids under the AI Mission and collaborated with the industry. It is aiming for 18,000 GPUs at very competitive prices, and it has opened the financial bids last week. Additionally, all researchers and startups will have access to these GPUs at a further discounted price. This will also help the start-ups operating in the CoE, Singh continued.

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  • SAMRIDH: MeitY’s Second Round of Startup Accelerators Kicks off to Foster Product Innovation

    On 4 September 2024, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) initiated the second group of students to participate in the SAMRIDH program. MeitY’s S. Krishnan, the Secretary, was the one who initiated the program.

    The Government of India has set a goal of cultivating 300 businesses, and as part of its 100-day agenda, it will choose and provide support to 125 startups through possible accelerators. This will allow them to reach their future goal. A statement released by MeitY said that the interested accelerator may apply for the second cohort of SAMRIDH.

    By the National Policy on Software Products (NPSP)-2019, the ministry has revealed that it is actively trying to promote the expansion of India’s software product industry. According to the ministry, the Indian software product industry, which includes startups, is receiving support from a variety of programs.

    These programs include Centres of Excellence (CoEs), the Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs (TIDE) program, the Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS), the Information and Communication Technology Grand Challenges, and Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS), among others.

    Addressing SAMRIDH: Encouraging Software Startups in India

    According to the National Policy on Software Products–2019, SAMRIDH is a flagship program of MeitY that supports the acceleration of startup companies. Launched in August 2021, the SAMRIDH initiative has the objective of providing financial assistance to 300 software product companies, with a total expenditure of INR 99 crore, over four years. With the help of potential and established accelerators throughout India, SAMRIDH is being implemented. These accelerators offer services to startups such as making their goods market-fit, developing a business strategy, connecting them with investors, and expanding their operations internationally. Additionally, MeitY is providing matching capital of up to INR 40 lakh. MeitY Startup Hub (MSH), which is part of Digital India Corporation (DIC), is the organization that is putting the plan into action.

    Commenting on the development, Edul Patel, co-founder and CEO, Mudrex stated, “The government’s continued commitment to nurturing India’s startup ecosystem through initiatives like the SAMRIDH programme is well appreciated. The launch of the second cohort is an exciting development, especially for smaller startups. Having access to top accelerators that provide crucial mentorship, funding, and resources is a game changer for young entrepreneurs. The matching funding of up to INR 40 lakh, combined with guidance on making products market-fit and scaling internationally, provides invaluable support to entrepreneurs who are just starting up. This initiative truly encourages budding entrepreneurs in building tech solutions from India to the world.”

    Multi-Agent Accelerator System for SAMRIDH

    Twenty-two accelerators from 12 different states were chosen to participate in the inaugural cohort of SAMRIDH after open requests for ideas were issued. The list of accelerators includes organizations that receive support from the government, academic institutions, entities from the business sector, and platforms that provide finance for early-stage start-ups. A multi-level screening procedure is then utilized by these accelerators to choose five to ten companies in each of the following categories: health technology, education technology, agriculture technology, consumer technology, financial technology, software as a service (SaaS), and sustainability.

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  • Government Unveils Vishvasya-Blockchain Tech Stack

    Launched by S. Krishnan, Secretary of India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack provides Blockchain-as-a-Service through a distributed infrastructure that can support different approved Blockchain applications.

    The National Blockchain Portal, Praamaanik, a groundbreaking blockchain-enabled solution for authenticating the provenance of mobile applications, and the NBFLite-Lightweight Blockchain Platform were also introduced by Secretary MeitY.

    Building a Nationwide Blockchain to Improve Online Security and Customer Satisfaction

    Initiated by MeitY, the National Blockchain Framework (NBF) aims to promote research and application development; enable the delivery of state-of-the-art, transparent, secure, and trustworthy digital services to citizens; and build trusted digital platforms.

    Distributed infrastructure, core framework functionality, app development offering blockchain as a service (BaaS), security, privacy, and interoperability make up the technology stack of the national blockchain framework. At the moment, NBF is expandable and works with two Blockchain systems. Hosted across NIC Data centers in Bhubaneswar, Pune, and Hyderabad, the Technology Stack takes advantage of geographically dispersed infrastructure.

    Blockchain Platform for Institutions and Startups

    Designed with businesses and academics in mind, NBFLite is a Blockchain sandbox platform that facilitates research, capacity building, and rapid application prototyping. With funding from MeitY, C-DAC, NIC, IDRBT Hyderabad, IIT Hyderabad, IIIT Hyderabad, and SETS Chennai collaborated to create these technologies.

    Enhancing Citizen Security and Transparency with a Nationwide Blockchain Framework

    The National Blockchain Framework will enable security, trust, and transparency for various citizen-centric applications, according to S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, who stated at the launch that this is an important part of the government of India’s efforts to provide trusted digital service delivery. He further emphasized that all parties involved should work towards making India the world leader in blockchain technology and spreading the solutions that have been developed so that it may be adopted worldwide. This would help to drive digital empowerment, social development, and economic growth, and position India as a global leader in blockchain.can

    What Blockchain Can Do to Revolutionise Governance?

    Blockchain technology can revolutionize Indian administration by increasing the openness, efficiency, and accountability of public services, according to Bhuvnesh Kumar, Additional Secretary, MeitY. The importance of expanding NBF application use across agencies and states was emphasized by him, and he also recommended looking at adding new platforms, apps, and innovative components to the NBF stack.

    Objectives of NBF in Confronting Difficulties

    According to Sunita Verma, Scientist G and Group Coordinator, R&D in Electronics & IT, MeitY, the goal of launching NBF is to create an extensible framework using a Blockchain technology stack on distributed infrastructure. This framework will help tackle issues like vendor lock-in, the lack of qualified workers to construct Blockchain-based applications, and research hurdles in areas like security, interoperability, and performance.

    The NBF is a consortium-mode effort to address research difficulties and leverage the benefits of technology to build applications in cooperation with Government organizations, according to Magesh E, Director General, C-DAC.

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  • Hardware Industry Wants Computer Import Regulation Clarity

    Recently, representatives from the electronics hardware business penned a letter to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) requesting more information on the plans for future policies regarding the import of specific computer items under HS 8471. The letter also requested the Ministry to engage stakeholders more actively.

    After local and international businesses voiced their worries, the government revised its limitations on laptop and computer imports in October 2023, following earlier restrictions enacted in August 2023. Importers could simply provide the quantity and value of the hardware they were importing, and the government would grant them “authorisation” to bring the goods in.

    Last year, the government made an effort to collaborate with stakeholders in order to clarify administrative procedures and get ready for implementation, which we greatly appreciated.

    Kumar Deep, country director of the ITI Council in India, wrote to MeitY Secretary S Krishnan that the strategy “addressed many stakeholder concerns about potential import licensing requirements and restrictions.”

    According to him, it is “critical” that the government takes action to facilitate early stakeholder participation in order to keep these commodities available in India as the probable expiration date of the registration/license draws near. This would help “to prevent far-reaching unintended consequences on key sectors.”

    Import Management System

    Launched this year, the Import Management System (IMS) for information and communication technology (ICT) hardware imports is expected to conclude on September 30, 2024. With the new “import management system,” the government hopes to keep tabs on computer, tablet, and laptop shipments into the nation without stifling supply in the market or instituting onerous licensing requirements. The administration had previously announced that importers could apply for several authorisations, each of which would be valid until September 30.

    With computers penetrating every sector of the economy, the ITI Council argued in its letter that India’s policy affects a wide range of interested parties, including domestic and international companies with operations in India.

    Industry’s View

    In order to facilitate the transition and minimise “unintended consequences,” the industry group claimed that, first and foremost, it wanted the government to release future guidelines in draft form and give stakeholders enough time to comment on them before they are officially published, preferably before October 1.

    The government should also give a fair amount of time for people to adjust if there is a change in policy. While deciding whether to revise or replace the IMS, ITI has urged the government to choose a course of action that satisfies India’s goals, encourages foreign investment, and complies with international trade standards and commitments.

    According to Deep, the Council and its members are quite worried about the rumours that the government is thinking about switching out the IMS for a quota system. This would have a negative impact on India and make it harder for many businesses to get access to the market.

    A positive way ahead would be for the administration to take immediate, tangible steps towards making its objectives and planned policy roadmap more transparent and to increase stakeholder engagement in the policymaking process. In this regard, industry players are prepared to offer their assistance.

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  • Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Supporting 3600+ Tech Startups

    The government of India is continually engaging in several initiatives under the Startup India program to foster the expansion and improvement of the startup ecosystem within the nation. Startups can get help at different points in their business cycles from the flagship schemes, which include the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS), and Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS). This helps them get to the point where they can ask for money from commercial banks, angel investors, or venture capitalists. Consequently, as of July 31, 2024, there are over 1.43 lakh startups in India that have been recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

    Initiatives by the Government

    The Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs (TIDE 2.0) Scheme was launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (‘MeitY’) with a budget of INR 264.62 crore, spread out over 5 years. It provides institutions of higher education and leading research and development organizations with financial and technical support so that they can assist ICT companies that are utilizing new technologies. So far, 51 TIDE 2.0 Incubation Centres have received funding and are up and running.

    Aiming to assist current and future accelerators in their selection and acceleration of promising IT-based startups to scale to address India’s technological challenges and make a positive social impact, the Startup Accelerator of MeitY for Product Innovation, Development, and Growth (SAMRIDH) Scheme was established. Selected accelerators will get one-to-one matching funds up to INR 40 lakh from the SAMRIDH initiative, which they can use to offer accelerator services to start-ups. Out of a total of 22 national accelerators, 175 entrepreneurs will receive help in 12 cities across 14 states in the initial cohort. Among these accelerators, you can find investment firms, corporate accelerators, academic institutions, and government-supported organizations.

    A large chunk of the 2019 National Policy on Software Products (NPSP) and the software product ecosystem can now be supported through the Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS). Agartala, Bhilai, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Dehradun, Guwahati, Jaipur, Lucknow & Prayagraj, Mohali/Chandigarh, Patna, and Vijayawada are the twelve cities that are planned to begin the scheme. With a total budget of INR 95.03 crore, the scheme intends to support 300 tech startups in Tier-2/3 cities over three years through its solution-oriented architecture.

    To promote national self-sufficiency and develop capacities to capitalize on new and developing technological sectors, MeitY has planned and implemented 42 Centres Of Excellence (CoEs) in various areas of national significance. Through democratizing creativity and realizing prototypes, these domain-specific CoEs facilitate India’s rise to the position of innovation hub in emerging technologies.

    To facilitate the development of innovation-led electronic systems and designs, the Government of Bihar, IIIT Patna, STPI New Delhi, and Makers Village in Cochin, Kerala, as well as the Fabless chip design incubation unit at IIT Hyderabad, have all collaborated to construct Entrepreneur Parks.

    Over the past five years, the government has provided financial support to over 10,000 tech startups through various programs and schemes run by relevant ministries and departments. Incubators have distributed a total of about INR 580 crore to these businesses, with 3,600 tech startups receiving INR 212 crore from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

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