In a strategic collaboration to boost India’s AI capabilities, Meta has partnered with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to establish a Centre for Generative AI at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur. Named ‘Srijan,’ this Centre of Excellence (CoE) aims to promote open-source AI development, advance research, and contribute to India’s mission of tech sovereignty by building AI solutions specifically tailored for the Indian market.
The collaboration between Meta and MeitY focuses on fostering indigenous AI applications and enhancing skill development among India’s youth. "This initiative supports India’s goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy by empowering the nation’s young population to lead in the global AI space,” stated S Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY. He emphasized the importance of government, academia, and industry collaborations to create a robust research ecosystem that supports innovation and responsible AI usage.
Meta has committed Rs 7.5 crore in funding over the next three years for Srijan, which will be staffed by faculty, researchers, and students from IIT Jodhpur, with plans for collaboration with institutions such as Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, PGI Chandigarh, AIIMS Jodhpur, and IHBAS Delhi. The center will focus on addressing national challenges in sectors like healthcare, mobility, and education, while also advancing global AI capabilities. Prof. Mayank Vatsa of IIT Jodhpur commented, “Srijan, meaning ‘Creation,’ will drive research and innovation in foundation models and generative AI while ensuring ethical, responsible development.”
In addition to Srijan, the YuvaAI initiative was also launched to address the growing need for AI skills in India. This program, developed in collaboration with the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), aims to train 100,000 students and young developers aged 18-30 in open-source large language models (LLMs). The initiative will focus on promoting AI talent, innovation, and entrepreneurship, contributing to India’s burgeoning AI ecosystem across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, smart cities, and financial inclusion.
YuvaAI will include training courses, hackathons, and an ‘LLM for Young Developers’ curriculum hosted on the IndiaAI website. The initiative also plans to support ten startups led by young developers through the AI Innovation Accelerator, offering incubation, mentoring, and grants to foster innovation and build an entrepreneurial spirit in the AI space. Shivnath Thukral, Meta India’s Head of Public Policy, noted that Meta’s emphasis on open-source AI will create a nurturing environment for indigenous solutions to flourish.
MeitY's collaboration with Meta aims to reinforce India’s position as a leader in responsible AI development and innovation, driving long-term sustainable growth in the country’s tech ecosystem. The progress of this initiative will be monitored annually by a joint committee from MeitY and Meta to ensure its goals align with India’s AI objectives.
