Will BharatGen AI Embrace All 22 Scheduled Indian Languages by June 2026?
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Synopsis
The BharatGen AI initiative aims to revolutionize linguistic inclusivity in India by supporting all 22 scheduled languages by 2026. This monumental step marks a significant leap towards creating AI tailored to the unique cultural and linguistic fabric of India, promising benefits across diverse sectors. Explore how this initiative can transform communication in our multilingual nation!
Key Takeaways
- BharatGen AI aims to support all 22 scheduled Indian languages by June 2026.
- The initiative is part of a roadmap for developing sovereign foundational AI models.
- Current support includes nine languages, expanding to 15 by December 2025.
- Applications are being developed for key sectors like agriculture and governance.
- The project is led by the Technology Innovation Hub at IIT Bombay.
New Delhi, Aug 6 (NationPress) The government's BharatGen AI initiative is set to encompass all 22 scheduled Indian languages by June 2026, as disclosed to the Parliament on Wednesday.
This initiative is part of a strategic plan aimed at developing sovereign foundational AI models that are customized for Indian languages and societal contexts.
Currently, BharatGen supports nine languages: Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati, Telugu, and Kannada, as stated by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written response in Lok Sabha.
By December 2025, the initiative aims to broaden its scope to include 15 languages such as Assamese, Maithili, Nepali, Odia, Sanskrit, Sindhi, among others, he added.
BharatGen is recognized as India’s inaugural government-supported national AI initiative, covering text, speech, and vision-language systems.
It has already begun developing applications for sectors such as agriculture, governance, and defense, with pilot projects initiated.
“Once fully implemented, these innovative solutions will be accessible across all states and districts,” mentioned Dr. Singh.
The project falls under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) administered by the Department of Science and Technology.
Leading the initiative is the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) for IoT and IoE at IIT Bombay, which manages model development, academic collaborations, data infrastructure, and strategic planning.
Dr. Singh noted that BharatGen is presently in the pilot deployment stage and is not yet available for public or institutional use.
“However, once fully operational, it will extend nationwide, benefiting rural and semi-urban communities as well,” he added.
The government is also considering collaborations with research institutions in Karnataka to enhance the reach and applications of BharatGen.
In June, the Union government unveiled the LLM model at the BharatGen Summit.
“BharatGen represents a national mission to develop AI that is ethical, inclusive, multilingual, and deeply rooted in Indian values and ethos,” Dr. Singh emphasized during the launch event on June 2.
Point of View
I believe that the BharatGen AI initiative represents a pivotal step towards an inclusive digital future for India. This effort not only highlights our commitment to leveraging technology for societal advancement but also emphasizes the importance of preserving linguistic diversity. Our nation stands poised to lead in ethical AI development, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital transformation.
NationPress
06/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BharatGen AI?
BharatGen AI is India's first government-supported national initiative aimed at creating foundational AI models tailored to Indian languages and contexts.
How many languages does BharatGen currently support?
Currently, BharatGen AI supports nine Indian languages: Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati, Telugu, and Kannada.
When will BharatGen AI cover all 22 scheduled languages?
The initiative is expected to cover all 22 scheduled Indian languages by June 2026.
What sectors will benefit from BharatGen AI?
BharatGen AI will develop applications for agriculture, governance, defense, and more, enhancing various sectors across the nation.
Is BharatGen AI available for public use now?
As of now, BharatGen AI is in the pilot deployment phase and is not yet available for public or institutional use.
