Road to IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026: UPSC Current Affairs Story Arc
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ExploreSeven precursor events, 1.32 lakh artisans linked via welfare schemes, and the first-ever AI summit hosted by the Global South—the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026 is India's bid to move from 'AI consumers' to 'AI architects.'
Overview
The Road to IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026 represents a coordinated, multi-month strategy by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) to cement India's leadership in responsible AI. Starting with a logo reveal in September 2025, the arc progressed through specialized regional events in Dehradun (disaster management) and Tuticorin (maritime operations). Unlike previous tech summits, this journey emphasizes a 'Three Sutras' framework—People, Planet, and Progress—shifting the focus from pure regulation to governance based on safety, interoperability, and equitable growth for the Global South.
How This Story Evolved
MeitY unveils summit logo/dates → Precursor events held in Dehradun and by STPI → Governance framework announced → Final details released → VOC Port hosts specific pre-event
- 2025-09-19: India-AI Impact Summit 2026
More details
UPSC Angle: MeitY unveils logo for India-AI Impact Summit 2026.
Key Facts:
- India-AI Impact Summit 2026 will be held on February 19–20, 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- Organised by: Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India.
- Aim: Build a shared global vision for AI that is ethical, inclusive, and equitable.
- The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 will be held on February 19–20, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- The summit is organised by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY).
- The summit's guiding principles (Three Sutras) are People, Planet, and Progress.
- 2025-09-22: STPI Startups Showcase AI for Disaster Management
More details
UPSC Angle: STPI startups showcased AI for disaster management.
Key Facts:
- AI based STPI startups showcased their product and services in pre summit event on September 22, 2025.
- Panel discussion explored how AI can accelerate India's scientific discovery and innovation across sectors like agriculture and life sciences.
- Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Dehradun organized Official Pre-Summit Event of the AI Impact Summit 2026 on 20th September 2025 at Hotel Hyatt Centric, Rajpur Road, Dehradun, under the theme “AI for Disaster Management | Drones”.
- In alignment with the AI Impact Summit 2026 vision
- 2025-10-18: Uttarakhand Hosts AI Impact Summit Ahead of India–AI 2026
More details
UPSC Angle: Uttarakhand hosts AI Impact Summit ahead of India–AI 2026.
Key Facts:
- Event: Uttarakhand AI Impact Summit 2025
- Location: Dehradun
- Inaugurated by: Union Minister of State Shri Jitin Prasada
- Organizers: Department of IT, Government of Uttarakhand and the IndiaAI Mission, MeitY
- Focus: Responsible and inclusive AI growth
- Computing Power: World-class computing power at under $1/hour
- 2025-12-13: India to Host India-AI Impact Summit 2026
More details
UPSC Angle: India to host India-AI Impact Summit 2026.
Key Facts:
- India to host India-AI Impact Summit 2026.
- Focus: AI governance pathways on safety, interoperability, compute access, and accountability.
- Guided by three pillars – People, Planet, Progress.
- 2026-01-09: India–AI Impact Summit 2026
More details
UPSC Angle: India to host India–AI Impact Summit 2026.
Key Facts:
- India-AI Impact Summit 2026 date: February 19-20, 2026
- Location: New Delhi
- First global AI summit hosted in the Global South
- Builds on G20 AI Principles, UN resolutions, African Declaration on AI, and Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI
- Three Sutras framework: People: Human-centric, inclusive, culturally sensitive, and trustworthy AI
- India–AI Impact Summit 2026 will be held in New Delhi on 19–20 February 2026.
- First global AI summit hosted in the Global South.
- Builds on G20 AI Principles, UN & GPAI resolutions, African Declaration on AI, and Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI.
- Focuses on People (human-centric AI), Planet (responsible AI), and Progress (AI for equitable growth).
- 2026-01-21: PIB highlights One Station One Product and India-AI Impact Summit
More details
UPSC Angle: OSOP promotes regional crafts through Indian Railways.
Key Facts:
- One Station One Product (OSOP): Scheme
- Indian Railways: Implementing agency
- 2,326: Number of OSOP outlets
- 1.32 lakh: Number of artisans, weavers, SHGs, and small producers benefited
- India–AI Impact Summit 2026: Summit
- February 16–20, 2026: Dates
- Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi: Venue
- 2026-02-09: VOC Port Hosts Pre-Event for IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026
More details
UPSC Angle: VOC Port hosts pre-event for IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026.
Key Facts:
- V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port) hosted a pre-event to the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026
- Event title: “AI in Ports and Maritime Operations: Practice, Policy and Future”
- Location: Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu
- IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026 will be held on February 17th at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- VOC Port Authority will host a panel discussion titled “AI-Powered Ports: Reimagining Efficiency and Operations” during the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026
- 2026-02-17: UN Chief Guterres Attends India AI Impact Summit
More details
UPSC Angle: UN Chief Guterres attends India AI Impact Summit, advocating for inclusivity.
Key Facts:
- Antonio Guterres: Attending India AI Impact Summit
- Summit: First ever on AI hosted in the Global South
- Roundtable: Renewable energy and energy transition
- 2026-02-14: India's AI Stack for Population-Scale Impact
More details
UPSC Angle: India AI Impact Summit focuses on AI deployment for societal outcomes.
Key Facts:
- India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi 2026
- AI-driven advisory tools for agriculture
- Bharat-VISTAAR: multilingual AI tool
- AgriStack: Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for the farm sector
- Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM)
- Farmer ID linked to land records, livestock, crops, demographics, schemes
- Crop Sown Registry with details on crops planted
- Geo-referenced Village Maps data with geographic information of land records
- India AI Impact Summit
- New Delhi
- Practical AI deployment
- Measurable societal outcomes
- AI-driven advisory tools
- Agriculture
- Sowing decisions
- Input use optimization
- Yield improvement
- Ministry of Education launched Bodhan AI at the inaugural Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026, held in New Delhi
- 2026-02-15: India to launch PARAM-2 multilingual AI model
More details
UPSC Angle: India to launch PARAM-2 multilingual AI model.
Key Facts:
- PARAM-2, a 17-billion-parameter multilingual AI model, will be launched.
- It is developed under the BharatGen programme.
- BharatGen is India's national generative AI initiative.
- It is supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
- PARAM-2 supports all 22 Scheduled Indian languages.
- It has been trained on India-focused datasets under Bharat Data Sagar.
- The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems under DST initially approved Rs 235 crore to seed the project.
- 2026-02-17: PM Modi on Trade Agreements and Economic Growth
More details
UPSC Angle: Not exam-relevant
Key Facts:
- India signed trade agreements with the European Union and the United States.
- 2026 Budget creates opportunity for the private sector.
- Government focus: structural reforms, innovation, and simpler governance.
- 2026-02-18: India to Accelerate Developed Nation Status through AI by 2047
More details
UPSC Angle: India to accelerate developed nation status through AI by 2047.
Key Facts:
- India aims to achieve developed nation status by 2047 through AI.
- The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is being held in New Delhi from February 16 to 20.
- Around 250,000 delegates are expected to attend the summit.
- The summit's motto is "Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhaye".
- 2026-02-19: VoicERA Launched on BHASHINI National Infrastructure
More details
UPSC Angle: VoicERA: open-source Voice AI stack on BHASHINI infrastructure.
Key Facts:
- VoicERA is an open-source, end-to-end Voice AI stack
- Deployed on the BHASHINI National Language Infrastructure
- Launched at the India AI Impact Summit 2026
- Acts as a national execution layer for multilingual Voice and Language AI
- Enables secure and scalable deployment of voice systems across government, research institutions, and innovation ecosystems
- Reduces duplication of effort and eliminates vendor lock-in by modularising the voice stack
- Aims to build a common, multilingual Voice AI platform
- Enables citizens to access government services through natural speech
- 2026-02-19: Under Secretary Helberg's Travel to India
More details
UPSC Angle: Under Secretary Helberg's visit to India for AI Impact Summit.
Key Facts:
- Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg will travel to India from February 20-21.
- Helberg will join the U.S. delegation to the India AI Impact Summit led by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director, Michael Kratsios.
- 2026-02-20: India's Youth in the AI Era
More details
UPSC Angle: India-AI Impact Summit focuses on youth in the AI era.
Key Facts:
- India's Union Budget 2026–27 supports animation, gaming, digital content, and immersive media within the Orange Economy framework.
- AI-aligned Content Creator Labs are being established in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges, expected to generate around 20 lakh jobs.
- India has proposed an Education to Employment and Enterprise Standing Committee to assess AI's impact on jobs and skill requirements.
- 2026-02-21: India AI Impact Summit 2026 and AI Developments
More details
UPSC Angle: India AI Impact Summit 2026 discussed AI developments.
Key Facts:
- IndiaAI Mission allocated â‚ą10,300 crore
- India is providing compute access at â‚ą65 per hour
- Ranvir Sachdeva, eight years old, became the youngest speaker at the India AI Impact Summit 2026
- L&T Vyoma to explore a 250 MW green AI-ready data centre at Dholera SIR, a â‚ą25,000 crore project
- 2026-02-21: Global AI Brain Race Report 2026
More details
UPSC Angle: US leads Global AI Brain Race Report 2026, India ranks sixth.
Key Facts:
- The United States topped the Global AI Brain Race Report 2026
- India ranked sixth in the Global AI Brain Race Report 2026
- The report evaluated over 100 countries on AI R&D, infrastructure, talent readiness, governance, economic integration, academic strength, and public opinion
- 2026-02-21: US, Russia, China Sign New Delhi AI Declaration
More details
UPSC Angle: New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact endorsed by 88 countries.
Key Facts:
- New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact endorsed by 88 countries
- AI Impact Summit 2026 held in New Delhi between February 18-20
- Over 5 lakh visitors participated in the summit
- Countries who signed the Delhi declaration include US, UK, China, France, Israel, Canada, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and the European Union
- IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
- The New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was endorsed by 88 countries and international organisations.
- The declaration emphasizes the equitable sharing of AI benefits across humanity.
- The three Sutras of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 are People, Planet and Progress.
- 2026-02-21: Open-Source Multilingual AI Prototype Demonstrated at India AI Impact Summit
More details
UPSC Angle: Open-source multilingual AI prototype demonstrated at India AI Impact Summit.
Key Facts:
- A first-in-class open-source handheld multilingual AI prototype was demonstrated at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
- It was developed in collaboration with Digital India BHASHINI Division, Current AI and Kalpa Impact.
- A Global Innovation Challenge has been announced to encourage engineering students and early-career professionals to build upon the open-source prototype.
- 2026-02-19: India Earns Guinness World Record for AI Responsibility Pledges
More details
UPSC Angle: India earns Guinness World Record for AI responsibility pledges.
Key Facts:
- 250,946 valid pledges received between February 16–17
- Pledges recorded at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Launched on February 16, 2026, under the IndiaAI Mission in collaboration with Intel India
- Focuses on data privacy, transparency, accountability, and combating misinformation
- 2026-02-19: ISA Launches Global AI-for-Energy Mission
More details
UPSC Angle: ISA launches global AI-for-Energy mission.
Key Facts:
- Launched at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi
- Aims to fast-track clean energy adoption across 120+ member countries
- Leverages the India Energy Stack, a digital public infrastructure model
- 2026-02-22: India AI Impact Summit 2026 focuses on ethical AI.
More details
UPSC Angle: India AI Impact Summit 2026 focuses on ethical AI governance.
Key Facts:
- AI Impact Summit held in Delhi
- New Delhi Declaration signed
- Focus: Promoting AI for the benefit of humanity
- Summit location: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- Summit theme: Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya.
- A.N.A.V framework: Moral, Accountable, National sovereignty, Accessible, Valid AI systems.
- IndiaAI Mission launched in 2024.
- 2026-02-22: AI to drive India's next agricultural revolution.
More details
UPSC Angle: AI to drive India's next agricultural revolution.
Key Facts:
- Agri Param is a domain-specific agriculture model.
- Agri Param operates in 22 Indian languages.
- Rs 10,372-crore India AI Mission.
Genesis
Trigger
The arc was officially triggered on September 19, 2025, when MeitY unveiled the logo and flagship initiatives for the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Why Now
The move follows India's successful G20 presidency and its chairmanship of the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), necessitating a transition from global principles to domestic implementation.
Historical Context
It builds on the 'IndiaAI Mission' and the 2023-24 Budget announcement of setting up three 'Centers of Excellence' for Artificial Intelligence to realize the vision of 'Make AI in India and Make AI work for India.'
Key Turning Points
- [2026-02-15] Launch of PARAM-2 multilingual AI model
- [2026-02-17] UN Secretary-General's attendance at the summit
Key Actors and Institutions
| Name | Role | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Jitin Prasada | Union Minister of State for Electronics & IT | Inaugurated the Uttarakhand AI Impact Summit 2025, bridging the gap between central policy and state-level implementation. |
Key Institutions
- Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY)
- Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)
- IndiaAI Mission
- V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port)
Key Concepts
Responsible AI
A framework ensuring AI systems are ethical, transparent, and minimize bias while maximizing social benefit.
Current Fact: The summit is guided by three pillars: People, Planet, and Progress, linking AI to climate action and social good.
AI Governance Path
A policy approach focusing on safety, compute access, and accountability rather than restrictive immediate regulations.
Current Fact: India is emphasizing practical deployment and measurable societal outcomes, moving beyond theoretical discussions.
What Happens Next
Current Status
The IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026 is underway in mid-February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam. Key developments include the launch of the PARAM-2 multilingual AI model and discussions focusing on the practical deployment of AI for societal outcomes. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is attending, advocating for inclusivity in AI.
Likely Next
The summit is expected to produce a 'Delhi Declaration' on Global South AI governance. Follow-up actions will likely involve implementing AI-driven advisory services and expanding the BharatGen program.
Wildcards
Global pushback on AI safety standards by Big Tech or sudden shifts in the UN's global AI governance framework could force India to realign its 'interoperability' focus.
Quick Revision
- The IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026 is currently underway.
- PARAM-2, a 17-billion-parameter multilingual AI model, has been launched.
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is participating in the summit.
- Discussions are centered on practical AI deployment and societal impact.
All Events in This Story (23 items)
- 2025-09-19 [Science & Technology] — India-AI Impact Summit 2026
The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) has unveiled the logo and flagship initiatives for the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for February 19–20, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The summit will showcase AI's transformative role in inclusive growth, sustainability, and social good, positioning India as a thought leader in responsible AI adoption.More details
UPSC Angle: MeitY unveils logo for India-AI Impact Summit 2026.
Key Facts:
- India-AI Impact Summit 2026 will be held on February 19–20, 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- Organised by: Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India.
- Aim: Build a shared global vision for AI that is ethical, inclusive, and equitable.
- The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 will be held on February 19–20, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- The summit is organised by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY).
- The summit's guiding principles (Three Sutras) are People, Planet, and Progress.
- 2025-09-22 [Science & Technology] — STPI Startups Showcase AI for Disaster Management
AI based STPI startups showcased their product and services in pre summit event. September 22, 2025|Delhi, India. AI as a Force Multiplier for Indian R&D and Innovation. A panel discussion explored how AI can accelerate India's scientific discovery and innovation across sectors like agriculture and life sciences. The AI based STPI startups showcased their product and services in pre summit event.More details
UPSC Angle: STPI startups showcased AI for disaster management.
Key Facts:
- AI based STPI startups showcased their product and services in pre summit event on September 22, 2025.
- Panel discussion explored how AI can accelerate India's scientific discovery and innovation across sectors like agriculture and life sciences.
- Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Dehradun organized Official Pre-Summit Event of the AI Impact Summit 2026 on 20th September 2025 at Hotel Hyatt Centric, Rajpur Road, Dehradun, under the theme “AI for Disaster Management | Drones”.
- In alignment with the AI Impact Summit 2026 vision
- 2025-10-18 [Science & Technology] — Uttarakhand Hosts AI Impact Summit Ahead of India–AI 2026
Uttarakhand hosted the AI Impact Summit 2025 in Dehradun, a precursor to the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, inaugurated by Union Minister of State Shri Jitin Prasada. The summit, organized by the Department of IT, Government of Uttarakhand, and the IndiaAI Mission, MeitY, focused on responsible and inclusive AI growth, highlighting India's digital progress.More details
UPSC Angle: Uttarakhand hosts AI Impact Summit ahead of India–AI 2026.
Key Facts:
- Event: Uttarakhand AI Impact Summit 2025
- Location: Dehradun
- Inaugurated by: Union Minister of State Shri Jitin Prasada
- Organizers: Department of IT, Government of Uttarakhand and the IndiaAI Mission, MeitY
- Focus: Responsible and inclusive AI growth
- Computing Power: World-class computing power at under $1/hour
- 2025-12-13 [Science & Technology] — India to Host India-AI Impact Summit 2026
India will host the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, focusing on developing long-term AI governance pathways on safety, interoperability, compute access, and accountability rather than immediate regulations. The summit is guided by three pillars – People, Planet, Progress; links AI deployment with public interest, sustainability and scalable innovation.More details
UPSC Angle: India to host India-AI Impact Summit 2026.
Key Facts:
- India to host India-AI Impact Summit 2026.
- Focus: AI governance pathways on safety, interoperability, compute access, and accountability.
- Guided by three pillars – People, Planet, Progress.
- 2026-01-09 [International Relations] — India–AI Impact Summit 2026
India will host the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi on 19–20 February 2026, marking the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South. The summit will build on G20 AI Principles, UN & GPAI resolutions, African Declaration on AI, and Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI, focusing on human-centric, inclusive, culturally sensitive, and trustworthy AI; responsible AI aligned with climate action; and equitable growth across sectors.More details
UPSC Angle: India to host India–AI Impact Summit 2026.
Key Facts:
- India-AI Impact Summit 2026 date: February 19-20, 2026
- Location: New Delhi
- First global AI summit hosted in the Global South
- Builds on G20 AI Principles, UN resolutions, African Declaration on AI, and Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI
- Three Sutras framework: People: Human-centric, inclusive, culturally sensitive, and trustworthy AI
- India–AI Impact Summit 2026 will be held in New Delhi on 19–20 February 2026.
- First global AI summit hosted in the Global South.
- Builds on G20 AI Principles, UN & GPAI resolutions, African Declaration on AI, and Hamburg Declaration on Responsible AI.
- Focuses on People (human-centric AI), Planet (responsible AI), and Progress (AI for equitable growth).
- 2026-01-21 [Schemes & Programs] — PIB highlights One Station One Product and India-AI Impact Summit
PIB highlighted the One Station One Product (OSOP) scheme, promoting regional crafts through Indian Railways, with 2,326 outlets creating livelihoods for 1.32 lakh artisans. It also noted the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, focusing on AI's role in welfare, to be held in New Delhi from February 16–20, 2026.More details
UPSC Angle: OSOP promotes regional crafts through Indian Railways.
Key Facts:
- One Station One Product (OSOP): Scheme
- Indian Railways: Implementing agency
- 2,326: Number of OSOP outlets
- 1.32 lakh: Number of artisans, weavers, SHGs, and small producers benefited
- India–AI Impact Summit 2026: Summit
- February 16–20, 2026: Dates
- Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi: Venue
- 2026-02-09 [Economy] — VOC Port Hosts Pre-Event for IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026
The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port) in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, hosted a pre-event to the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026, focusing on AI in ports and maritime operations. The event brought together policymakers, port authorities, technology leaders, and academic experts to discuss AI's practical and policy dimensions in India's maritime ecosystem.More details
UPSC Angle: VOC Port hosts pre-event for IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026.
Key Facts:
- V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port) hosted a pre-event to the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026
- Event title: “AI in Ports and Maritime Operations: Practice, Policy and Future”
- Location: Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu
- IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026 will be held on February 17th at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- VOC Port Authority will host a panel discussion titled “AI-Powered Ports: Reimagining Efficiency and Operations” during the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026
- 2026-02-17 [International Relations] — UN Chief Guterres Attends India AI Impact Summit
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is in New Delhi for the India AI Impact Summit, advocating for inclusivity in AI and highlighting India's crucial role in the global community. He lauded India's leadership in renewable energy and its contributions to UN discussions on peace, security, and sustainable development. A roundtable will discuss accelerating renewable energy deployment and mobilizing investment.More details
UPSC Angle: UN Chief Guterres attends India AI Impact Summit, advocating for inclusivity.
Key Facts:
- Antonio Guterres: Attending India AI Impact Summit
- Summit: First ever on AI hosted in the Global South
- Roundtable: Renewable energy and energy transition
- 2026-02-14 [Science & Technology] — India's AI Stack for Population-Scale Impact
India is hosting the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, focusing on the practical deployment of AI and measurable societal outcomes. AI-driven advisory tools are being used in agriculture to guide decisions, optimize input use, and improve yields, enabling farmers to make data-driven, sustainable decisions. Bharat-VISTAAR, a multilingual AI tool, will integrate AgriStack portals and the ICAR package on agricultural practices with AI systems.More details
UPSC Angle: India AI Impact Summit focuses on AI deployment for societal outcomes.
Key Facts:
- India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi 2026
- AI-driven advisory tools for agriculture
- Bharat-VISTAAR: multilingual AI tool
- AgriStack: Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for the farm sector
- Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM)
- Farmer ID linked to land records, livestock, crops, demographics, schemes
- Crop Sown Registry with details on crops planted
- Geo-referenced Village Maps data with geographic information of land records
- India AI Impact Summit
- New Delhi
- Practical AI deployment
- Measurable societal outcomes
- AI-driven advisory tools
- Agriculture
- Sowing decisions
- Input use optimization
- Yield improvement
- Ministry of Education launched Bodhan AI at the inaugural Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026, held in New Delhi
- 2026-02-15 [Science & Technology] — India to launch PARAM-2 multilingual AI model
India is set to launch PARAM-2, a 17-billion-parameter multilingual AI model, at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, developed under the BharatGen programme and supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). PARAM-2 supports all 22 Scheduled Indian languages and has been trained on India-focused datasets under Bharat Data Sagar, releasing AI models as national public digital goods.More details
UPSC Angle: India to launch PARAM-2 multilingual AI model.
Key Facts:
- PARAM-2, a 17-billion-parameter multilingual AI model, will be launched.
- It is developed under the BharatGen programme.
- BharatGen is India's national generative AI initiative.
- It is supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
- PARAM-2 supports all 22 Scheduled Indian languages.
- It has been trained on India-focused datasets under Bharat Data Sagar.
- The National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems under DST initially approved Rs 235 crore to seed the project.
- 2026-02-17 [Economy] — PM Modi on Trade Agreements and Economic Growth
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India has recently signed important trade agreements with the EU and the US from a position of strength, intending to increase global market access for Indian manufacturing and services. In an interview with PTI, Modi highlighted the 2026 Budget's potential for the private sector, driven by government infrastructure and capital expenditure. He outlined the government's focus on structural reforms, innovation, and simplified governance for the next decade.More details
UPSC Angle: Not exam-relevant
Key Facts:
- India signed trade agreements with the European Union and the United States.
- 2026 Budget creates opportunity for the private sector.
- Government focus: structural reforms, innovation, and simpler governance.
- 2026-02-18 [Economy] — India to Accelerate Developed Nation Status through AI by 2047
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India will accelerate its journey to developed nation status by 2047 through the large-scale adoption of artificial intelligence. The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is taking place in New Delhi from February 16 to 20, with around 250,000 delegates expected to attend. The summit's motto is "Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhaye" (“Well-being and happiness for all”).More details
UPSC Angle: India to accelerate developed nation status through AI by 2047.
Key Facts:
- India aims to achieve developed nation status by 2047 through AI.
- The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is being held in New Delhi from February 16 to 20.
- Around 250,000 delegates are expected to attend the summit.
- The summit's motto is "Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhaye".
- 2026-02-19 [Science & Technology] — VoicERA Launched on BHASHINI National Infrastructure
VoicERA, an open-source end-to-end Voice AI stack, has been launched on the BHASHINI National Language Infrastructure at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. It establishes a national execution layer for multilingual Voice and Language AI, enabling scalable deployment of speech and conversational systems across sectors. The initiative aims to make digital governance more accessible and user-friendly across languages.More details
UPSC Angle: VoicERA: open-source Voice AI stack on BHASHINI infrastructure.
Key Facts:
- VoicERA is an open-source, end-to-end Voice AI stack
- Deployed on the BHASHINI National Language Infrastructure
- Launched at the India AI Impact Summit 2026
- Acts as a national execution layer for multilingual Voice and Language AI
- Enables secure and scalable deployment of voice systems across government, research institutions, and innovation ecosystems
- Reduces duplication of effort and eliminates vendor lock-in by modularising the voice stack
- Aims to build a common, multilingual Voice AI platform
- Enables citizens to access government services through natural speech
- 2026-02-19 [International Relations] — Under Secretary Helberg's Travel to India
Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg will travel to India from February 20-21, where he will join the U.S. delegation to the India AI Impact Summit led by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director, Michael Kratsios.More details
UPSC Angle: Under Secretary Helberg's visit to India for AI Impact Summit.
Key Facts:
- Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg will travel to India from February 20-21.
- Helberg will join the U.S. delegation to the India AI Impact Summit led by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director, Michael Kratsios.
- 2026-02-20 [Economy] — India's Youth in the AI Era
The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 places young people at the center of AI's reshaping of India's economic structure and employment patterns. India is shifting from passive education to skill-based participation and industry-linked learning, focusing on employability and technology-driven careers. Budget 2026–27 supports AI-linked industries, establishing AI-aligned Content Creator Labs in schools and colleges, expected to generate 20 lakh jobs.More details
UPSC Angle: India-AI Impact Summit focuses on youth in the AI era.
Key Facts:
- India's Union Budget 2026–27 supports animation, gaming, digital content, and immersive media within the Orange Economy framework.
- AI-aligned Content Creator Labs are being established in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges, expected to generate around 20 lakh jobs.
- India has proposed an Education to Employment and Enterprise Standing Committee to assess AI's impact on jobs and skill requirements.
- 2026-02-21 [Science & Technology] — India AI Impact Summit 2026 and AI Developments
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 featured discussions on AI and its impact, with an eight-year-old, Ranvir Sachdeva, becoming the youngest speaker. India is providing compute access at â‚ą65 per hour to encourage innovation. The Gujarat government signed an MoU with L&T Vyoma to explore a 250 MW green AI-ready data centre at Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR), a â‚ą25,000 crore project.More details
UPSC Angle: India AI Impact Summit 2026 discussed AI developments.
Key Facts:
- IndiaAI Mission allocated â‚ą10,300 crore
- India is providing compute access at â‚ą65 per hour
- Ranvir Sachdeva, eight years old, became the youngest speaker at the India AI Impact Summit 2026
- L&T Vyoma to explore a 250 MW green AI-ready data centre at Dholera SIR, a â‚ą25,000 crore project
- 2026-02-21 [Science & Technology] — Global AI Brain Race Report 2026
According to a new international study by essayhumaniser.io, the United States leads the Global AI Brain Race Report 2026, followed by China and Singapore, while India ranks sixth. The report evaluated over 100 countries on AI R&D, infrastructure, talent readiness, governance, economic integration, academic strength, and public opinion.More details
UPSC Angle: US leads Global AI Brain Race Report 2026, India ranks sixth.
Key Facts:
- The United States topped the Global AI Brain Race Report 2026
- India ranked sixth in the Global AI Brain Race Report 2026
- The report evaluated over 100 countries on AI R&D, infrastructure, talent readiness, governance, economic integration, academic strength, and public opinion
- 2026-02-21 [International Relations] — US, Russia, China Sign New Delhi AI Declaration
At the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, 88 countries and international organizations, including the US, Russia, and China, endorsed the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact. The declaration outlines a shared vision for AI systems that are collaborative, trusted, resilient, and efficient, with an emphasis on national sovereignty and equitable access to AI benefits. The summit saw participation from over 5 lakh visitors and positioned India as a key player in shaping global AI governance.More details
UPSC Angle: New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact endorsed by 88 countries.
Key Facts:
- New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact endorsed by 88 countries
- AI Impact Summit 2026 held in New Delhi between February 18-20
- Over 5 lakh visitors participated in the summit
- Countries who signed the Delhi declaration include US, UK, China, France, Israel, Canada, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and the European Union
- IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
- The New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was endorsed by 88 countries and international organisations.
- The declaration emphasizes the equitable sharing of AI benefits across humanity.
- The three Sutras of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 are People, Planet and Progress.
- 2026-02-21 [Science & Technology] — Open-Source Multilingual AI Prototype Demonstrated at India AI Impact Summit
A first-in-class open-source handheld multilingual AI prototype was demonstrated at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, developed in collaboration with Digital India BHASHINI Division, Current AI and Kalpa Impact. The device functions as a privacy-preserving, locally deployable system capable of operating in low- or zero-connectivity environments, processing multilingual interactions directly on-device. A Global Innovation Challenge has been announced to encourage engineering students and early-career professionals to build upon the open-source prototype.More details
UPSC Angle: Open-source multilingual AI prototype demonstrated at India AI Impact Summit.
Key Facts:
- A first-in-class open-source handheld multilingual AI prototype was demonstrated at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
- It was developed in collaboration with Digital India BHASHINI Division, Current AI and Kalpa Impact.
- A Global Innovation Challenge has been announced to encourage engineering students and early-career professionals to build upon the open-source prototype.
- 2026-02-19 [Science & Technology] — India Earns Guinness World Record for AI Responsibility Pledges
India has earned a Guinness World Records title for the "Most pledges received for an AI responsibility campaign in 24 hours," recording 250,946 valid pledges between February 16–17 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The AI Responsibility Pledge is a nationwide citizen-led initiative promoting ethical, inclusive, and accountable use of AI across sectors. The campaign saw participation from over 2.5 lakh students.More details
UPSC Angle: India earns Guinness World Record for AI responsibility pledges.
Key Facts:
- 250,946 valid pledges received between February 16–17
- Pledges recorded at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Launched on February 16, 2026, under the IndiaAI Mission in collaboration with Intel India
- Focuses on data privacy, transparency, accountability, and combating misinformation
- 2026-02-19 [International Relations] — ISA Launches Global AI-for-Energy Mission
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) launched a global AI-for-Energy mission at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi to fast-track clean energy adoption across 120+ member countries. This initiative is designed to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the clean energy infrastructure of developing and emerging economies, leveraging the India Energy Stack—a digital public infrastructure model—to modernize grids and decentralize power systems.More details
UPSC Angle: ISA launches global AI-for-Energy mission.
Key Facts:
- Launched at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi
- Aims to fast-track clean energy adoption across 120+ member countries
- Leverages the India Energy Stack, a digital public infrastructure model
- 2026-02-22 [Science & Technology] — India AI Impact Summit 2026 focuses on ethical AI.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, centered on ethical AI governance and global cooperation. The summit theme was “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya,” and it launched the A.N.A.V Vision framework for ethical AI governance, standing for Moral, Accountable, National sovereignty, Accessible, Valid AI systems.More details
UPSC Angle: India AI Impact Summit 2026 focuses on ethical AI governance.
Key Facts:
- AI Impact Summit held in Delhi
- New Delhi Declaration signed
- Focus: Promoting AI for the benefit of humanity
- Summit location: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- Summit theme: Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya.
- A.N.A.V framework: Moral, Accountable, National sovereignty, Accessible, Valid AI systems.
- IndiaAI Mission launched in 2024.
- 2026-02-22 [Agriculture] — AI to drive India's next agricultural revolution.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated that artificial intelligence will drive India's next agricultural revolution, positioning AI as the central component of farm policy and research at the AI4Agri 2026 Summit in Mumbai. He highlighted the release of "Agri Param", an agriculture model operating in 22 Indian languages under the BharatGen initiative.More details
UPSC Angle: AI to drive India's next agricultural revolution.
Key Facts:
- Agri Param is a domain-specific agriculture model.
- Agri Param operates in 22 Indian languages.
- Rs 10,372-crore India AI Mission.
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