Introduction
Sarvam AI, a promising AI startup from Bengaluru, has been awarded the task of developing India’s first sovereign large language model (LLM) under the IndiaAI Mission.

The goal of this initiative is to create an indigenous AI model that can understand, reason, and interact in multiple Indian languages. This ambitious project aims to empower Indian citizens, businesses, and government agencies with secure, scalable, and linguistically inclusive AI solutions.
Background: The Need for Sovereign AI in India
India’s AI landscape has grown rapidly in recent years.
However, much of the country’s tech infrastructure still relies on foreign models and systems.
Developing a sovereign LLM is a crucial step to reduce this dependency.
An AI model tailored to Indian languages and contexts will strengthen India’s digital infrastructure.
It will also improve AI accessibility and offer inclusive solutions for the diverse population.
A Bold Step Towards AI Independence
The selection of Sarvam AI for this pivotal project highlights the Indian government’s commitment to building indigenous AI capabilities. Sarvam AI plans to develop three key variants of the LLM:
- Sarvam-Large: Designed for advanced reasoning and content generation.
- Sarvam-Small: Built for real-time interactive applications such as chatbots and voice assistants.
- Sarvam-Edge: Optimized for compact, on-device tasks, ensuring accessibility even in low-resource settings.
All three models will be developed, deployed, and optimized entirely within India, leveraging local infrastructure and talent. This approach ensures that the country’s AI capabilities remain independent and sustainable.
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Partnerships to Drive Technological Innovation
To make this vision a reality, Sarvam AI has partnered with AI4Bharat at IIT Madras, a leading research initiative in Indian language AI.
This collaboration will enable Sarvam AI to tap into a rich pool of knowledge and expertise, ensuring that the models are not only linguistically proficient but also cost-effective and scalable.
Sarvam AI’s previous work includes the development of Sarvam-1, a 2-billion parameter language model trained on 11 languages, including 10 major Indian languages and English. This model, which was created using domestic AI infrastructure powered by NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs, showcases Sarvam AI’s ability to develop foundational models suited for diverse linguistic needs.
Key Features and Benefits
Linguistic Inclusivity: The models will support multiple Indian languages, making AI tools accessible to all citizens, regardless of their linguistic background.
Secure AI Solutions: Sarvam AI will develop the models in India, ensuring they meet national security standards and keep sensitive data under local control.
Scalability: The LLMs will scale efficiently, enabling widespread use in government services, businesses, and public welfare.
Real-Time Interactivity: The models will power real-time applications like chatbots, enhancing user experiences in sectors such as customer service, healthcare, and education.
Compact, On-Device AI: Sarvam-Edge will allow users with limited computing power to access advanced AI features.
The Road Ahead: India’s AI Future
This initiative aligns with India’s larger digital vision of fostering innovation and promoting AI for public welfare.
The sovereign LLM will support linguistic inclusivity and help India address local challenges with AI-driven solutions.
The IndiaAI Mission aims to position India as a global leader in artificial intelligence.
It will help India shape the future of AI technology.
Sarvam AI’s sovereign LLM project focuses on India’s unique needs and marks a major milestone in the country’s AI journey.
This project will keep India at the forefront of technological advancements for years to come.
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Conclusion
Sarvam AI’s selection to develop India’s first sovereign large language model is a landmark moment for the nation’s AI industry. This initiative will empower India to take control of its AI destiny, reduce dependency on foreign models, and create AI solutions that cater to the country’s diverse linguistic and socio-economic landscape. As the project progresses, it will pave the way for a more inclusive, secure, and scalable AI-driven future for India.
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