India to Host First-Ever Global South AI Summit: MeitY Unveils Logo & Key Initiatives

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has officially revealed the logo and flagship initiatives for the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, a first-of-its-kind event that will spotlight India as a global hub for responsible and inclusive AI.

Scheduled for February 19–20, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, this marks the first time a Global South nation will host the prestigious summit. The theme is framed around the principles of People, Planet, and Progress.

The Symbolism Behind the Logo

The newly launched India-AI Summit logo is inspired by the Ashoka Chakra, representing ethical governance and justice in line with India’s constitutional values. Neural network-like flares radiate from the Chakra, signifying the role of AI in bridging divides—be it linguistic, industrial, or geographical—while driving inclusive growth.

IndiaAI Mission: Scaling GPU Infrastructure

Union Minister for Electronics & IT Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted India’s rapid progress under the IndiaAI Mission:

“Our goal was to provide advanced compute facilities to a large number of students and researchers. We had targeted 10,000 GPUs, and today we are at 38,000 GPUs, which is remarkable progress.”

The mission also focuses on setting up 570 Data Labs across the country. These labs are strategically distributed to ensure equal opportunities for students and professionals in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of democratized access to technology.

IndiaAI Data & AI Labs: Building Grassroots Talent

In its first phase, the government has dedicated 30 IndiaAI Data & AI Labs, including:

• 27 labs in partnership with NIELIT across smaller cities.

• 3 advanced labs with Intel located in Mokokchung, Mhow, and Mohali.

These facilities will provide hands-on training in data annotation and curation, equipping participants with skills to engage in India’s expanding AI-driven economy.

Expanding the IndiaAI Fellowship Program

The IndiaAI Fellowship Program has been significantly scaled up to support 13,500 scholars across disciplines:

• 8,000 undergraduates

• 5,000 postgraduates

• 500 PhD researchers

Fields covered include engineering, medicine, law, commerce, and liberal arts. A dedicated Fellowship Portal will streamline digital applications, mentorship tracking, and monitoring progress.

Summit Highlights: India’s Global AI Showcase

Launch of Foundational AI Models

A key highlight of the summit will be the unveiling of eight foundational AI model initiatives under the IndiaAI Foundation Models program. Selected from over 500 proposals, these projects will cover sectors like agriculture, healthcare, governance, science, and industrial innovation.

Notable initiatives include:

• AI Avatars optimized for Indian languages.

• A multilingual consortium led by IIT Bombay.

• India’s first large reasoning model for structured problem-solving by Fractal Analytics.

• Domain-specific models in Indic languages, material sciences, and neurological research.

Flagship Activities

The two-day summit will also feature:

• AI Pitch Fest (UDAAN): Showcasing innovative startups from Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities.

• Global Innovation Challenges: Focusing on youth and women.

• High-level Research Symposium for academic exchange.

• AI Expo with 300+ exhibitors from India and 30 other countries.

Guiding Framework: People, Planet, Progress

The summit is structured around three guiding Sutras – People, Planet, and Progress, supported by seven thematic Chakras. Discussions will focus on:

• Human capital development

• Trusted and safe AI

• Democratization of resources

• AI-powered solutions for social and economic development

Conclusion

The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 marks a pivotal step in India’s ambition to become a global AI powerhouse. By combining massive GPU infrastructure, grassroots AI training labs, expanded fellowship opportunities, and multilingual AI models, India is not only preparing its workforce but also shaping a vision where AI fosters inclusive growth, sustainability, and innovation. This summit will serve as a defining platform for global collaboration in AI for social good.