In a significant leap towards fostering indigenous AI development, the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-Bombay) has officially launched its own artificial intelligence firm, named BharatGen Technology Foundation. This initiative marks a pivotal moment for India's technological landscape, as the institute spearheads the creation of a Large Language Model (LLM) that is deeply rooted in the nation's diverse linguistic and cultural fabric.
BharatGen is structured as a Section 8 company, operating under the umbrella of IIT-Bombay, effectively placing it under the purview of the Indian government. This unique ownership model ensures that the AI model remains a national asset, free from the exclusive control of private entities. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is providing crucial support by sponsoring significant compute time for the project.
The development of BharatGen gained momentum between July and October of last year, with initial support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST). This has now evolved into a full-fledged generative AI initiative. IIT-Bombay's Director, Shireesh B Kedare, has emphasized the importance of AI sovereignty, advocating for the use of indigenous concepts and languages in AI development. He noted that India should leverage its own languages and cultural nuances rather than solely relying on English-based AI models.
BharatGen is already demonstrating its capabilities across various sectors. Professor Ganesh and his team have developed a legal paradigm encompassing Ayurveda and agricultural aspects, enabling farmers to articulate their issues and receive solutions in their local languages. Furthermore, BharatGen is providing AI platforms to assist the defense sector and aims to integrate AI into financial services, mobile platforms, and governmental operations.
In addition to the launch of BharatGen, IIT-Bombay has been actively collaborating with other organizations to bolster AI research and development. In October 2025, Optiver partnered with IIT-Bombay to establish the IIT Bombay-Optiver AI Innovation Lab, a dedicated research facility equipped with state-of-the-art computing infrastructure. This lab supports interdisciplinary research in AI, providing faculty, doctoral scholars, and post-doctoral researchers with the resources to pursue ambitious projects. The collaboration aligns with Optiver's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment and aims to advance scientific discovery and nurture future innovators in India.
Earlier, in November 2024, IIT Bombay signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Samsung R&D Institute to explore breakthroughs in AI and digital health. This five-year partnership facilitates joint research projects, offering IIT Bombay students and faculty opportunities to collaborate with Samsung engineers. The initiative also provides specialized training and certification programs in emerging technologies like digital health and AI for Samsung engineers.
IIT-Bombay is also part of a consortium selected by the government to build domestic AI models. This consortium, along with other entities like Tech Mahindra and Fractal Analytics, is working to develop both Large Language Models (LLMs) and sector-focused Small Language Models (SLMs). The government plans to establish over 500 AI data labs across the country to promote skill development in AI and related technologies.
These strategic initiatives underscore IIT-Bombay's commitment to advancing AI research, fostering innovation, and building a robust AI ecosystem in India. The launch of BharatGen, coupled with collaborations with industry leaders and government support, positions IIT-Bombay as a key player in shaping the future of AI in India, ensuring that it reflects the nation's unique identity and serves its diverse needs.
