SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure | SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Institutions: Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) | Government of Uttarakhand
At the Uttarakhand AI Impact Summit 2025 held in Dehradun on 17 October 2025, the Minister of State for Electronics & IT announced that India will provide world-class computing access at less than US $1 per hour, enabling affordable, high-performance AI research and innovation across sectors. The initiative, under the IndiaAI Mission, seeks to democratise advanced compute power, long a constraint for startups, researchers, and state agencies, by offering globally benchmarked infrastructure at accessible rates.
The event, co-organised by MeitY and the Government of Uttarakhand, featured participation from IITs, IIMs, leading startups, and technology councils, and served as a pre-summit to the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Discussions spanned responsible AI, compute affordability, public-sector applications, and the development of state-level AI roadmaps. The Minister emphasised India’s “AI for All” vision—where equitable access to compute, data, and models forms the foundation for inclusive growth and ethical AI adoption nationwide.
Affordable access at sub-$1/hour positions India as a global leader in AI infrastructure equity, removing cost barriers that restrict research and entrepreneurial participation. The initiative complements Digital India, the National Data Governance Framework, and state innovation missions by extending compute access to academia and smaller enterprises beyond major metros.
What is the IndiaAI Mission? → A flagship programme of MeitY that builds India’s AI ecosystem through compute infrastructure, data platforms, and skilling. It aims to establish large-scale, secure, and affordable AI resources for innovation and governance.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How can India design a sustainable, inclusive model for low-cost AI compute access that balances affordability with long-term public investment and data security?
Follow the full update here: India to Offer World-Class AI Compute at Under $1/Hour to Democratise Innovation