PM Modi Calls for Indigenous AI Development by Indian Startups
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a strong appeal to the nation's startup community. He wants them to focus on building indigenous artificial intelligence solutions. These AI systems should be developed by Indian talent and hosted on Indian servers.
The Prime Minister delivered this message during his National Startup Day address. This event also marked ten years of the government's Startup India initiative. Modi emphasized that India should aim for global leadership in emerging technologies rather than settling for partnerships.
Building Global Leadership in Technology
"Our ambition should not be of partnership, but we should aim for global leadership," Modi stated clearly. He urged startups to concentrate more on manufacturing within India. The goal is to create world-class products that can compete internationally.
The Prime Minister highlighted how critical AI development has become for national security. "Many domains are arising which will play a major role in India's economic security and strategic autonomy," he explained. "AI's example is in front of us. The more a country is ahead in the AI race, the higher its advantage."
IndiaAI Mission Progress
Modi provided specific updates about the IndiaAI Mission during his speech. He revealed that over 38,000 graphics processing units have been onboarded so far. These powerful computing resources are essential for training advanced AI models.
"Our effort is that big technology is available to small startups," the Prime Minister assured. "Indigenous AI should be developed by Indian talent on Indian servers." This statement reinforces the government's commitment to technological self-reliance.
Startup India's Decade of Transformation
The Prime Minister reflected on the dramatic changes over the past ten years. He reminded the audience about India's startup landscape before 2016. "You are well aware what the state was 10 years ago," Modi recalled. "There was no scope for innovation in the country."
Today, the numbers tell a different story entirely:
- India has become the world's third largest startup ecosystem
- From less than 500 startups ten years ago to over 200,000 today
- 125 active unicorn companies currently operating
- Approximately 44,000 new startups registered in 2025 alone
"Startup India gave birth to a new culture in India," Modi observed. He noted how entrepreneurship has become more inclusive. Previously, business ventures were mostly started by children from wealthy families who could secure funding easily.
Women's Growing Role in Startups
The Prime Minister specifically highlighted the increasing participation of women entrepreneurs. "Women have played a big role in this change," he acknowledged. Modi shared that over 45% of recognized startups have at least one woman director or partner.
India now boasts the second largest ecosystem of women-led startups globally. "This inclusive momentum is increasing India's ability further," the Prime Minister noted with satisfaction.
Geographical Spread of Entrepreneurship
Modi also pointed to the geographical expansion of startup activity. Young people from tier-2 and tier-3 cities are launching ventures. Even rural areas are seeing entrepreneurial activity. "They are the ones trying to solve ground problems," he said about these grassroots innovators.
The Prime Minister praised the courage of startup founders. "All of you have shown a lot of courage to reach here, putting so much at stake," he told the gathering. He contrasted today's environment with the past when risk-taking was discouraged.
Government Support Measures
Modi outlined several government initiatives that have created a supportive ecosystem:
- Atal Tinkering Labs in schools to foster innovation from young ages
- Hackathons that encourage youth to solve national problems
- Incubation support to prevent good ideas from dying due to lack of resources
- The Jan Vishwas Act that decriminalized over 180 provisions
- Simplified compliance through self-certification for startups
- Easier merger and exit processes for startup companies
"We helped you save time so you could focus on innovation," Modi explained. "Startup India is not just a scheme but a rainbow vision. It connects different sectors with new opportunities."
Opening New Sectors to Startups
The Prime Minister highlighted how previously closed sectors have been opened to private innovation:
- Defense manufacturing: Startups can now compete through the iDEX program
- Space sector: Nearly 200 space startups are gaining global recognition
- Drone industry: Removal of outdated rules has enabled rapid growth
Modi also mentioned the Government e-Marketplace platform. Approximately 35,000 startups and small businesses are now onboarded on GeM. They have received over 500,000 orders worth more than Rs 50,000 crore.
The Prime Minister's address concluded with a vision of India's startup future. He sees the country's youth driving innovation that will shape global technology trends. With indigenous AI development as a priority, India aims to secure both economic advantages and strategic autonomy in the coming years.
