A broader push to strengthen India’s artificial intelligence talent base is now taking shape as the government prepares the next phase of its national AI roadmap.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has announced plans to extend artificial intelligence training to 500 universities across the country. The initiative aims to build a strong industry-ready talent pipeline by offering specialised course curricula and hands-on training opportunities for students.
The programme follows a model already used in the semiconductor sector, where students at 315 universities are actively involved in chip design. The government now plans to replicate this approach for AI education at a much larger scale.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared the update at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. He said the industry is currently finalising the curriculum to ensure it aligns with real market requirements. The expansion is expected to become a core part of AI Mission 2.0, which the government plans to launch in the next 5 to 6 months as the first phase of the current AI mission concludes.
Alongside training, the government is also preparing to announce major research programmes during the summit. These efforts are aimed at making India’s national AI strategy more inclusive and comprehensive.
A key focus area of the strategy is the common compute stack, designed to improve equal access to advanced technology. This approach builds on earlier digital initiatives such as UPI, DigiLocker, and the nationwide 5G rollout.
“You have seen in the case of semiconductors, where 315 universities now have complete staff and students are designing chips, students are shaping up the chips. We will have a similar model now, industry is finalising the training course curriculum,” the minister said.
“Apart from that, we will also take up major research programs which we will announce in the AI summit. So, that way our program is very comprehensive, and one more thing which I wanted to share with you is the world is taking note of our common compute,” he added.
The second phase of the AI mission will focus on scaling these initiatives further. MeitY is seeking feedback from stakeholders to implement the programmes at a national level, with the aim of sustaining technology democratisation and reinforcing India’s position in global AI development.
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