In a significant boost to India’s artificial intelligence ecosystem, the India AI Mission unveiled a first-of-its-kind national repository mapping more than 110 AI startups and nonprofit organizations that are driving large-scale social and economic impact across the country.
The report, titled “India’s AI Impact Startups”, was released at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Published by IndiaAI in collaboration with Kalpa Impact, the compendium highlights AI-driven solutions across critical sectors including healthcare, agriculture, education, climate change, financial inclusion, urban mobility, and public service delivery.
The repository represents the first systematic mapping of India’s impact-oriented AI ecosystem. It showcases how Indian founders are building locally designed yet globally relevant AI solutions. The analysis reveals an ecosystem that is simultaneously experimenting and scaling, with voice AI and regional language interfaces emerging as powerful tools to reach underserved populations.
Another key trend identified in the report is the growing investment in “Made-in-India” foundation models, signaling the country’s ambition to build indigenous AI capabilities.
Leadership Insights
Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Director General of NIC, and CEO of the India AI Mission, described the repository as a practical resource for stakeholders. He emphasized that the compilation provides policymakers with a structured overview of initiatives aligned with public objectives and ready for integration with India’s Digital Public Infrastructure. For investors and industry leaders, it highlights enterprises demonstrating technological maturity, scalability, and long-term potential.
Mohammad Y. Safirulla K., IAS officer with the India AI Mission, noted that India’s AI ecosystem is rapidly maturing. He observed that many startups are transitioning from pilot projects to large-scale deployments serving millions of citizens.
Anshul Singhal, General Manager (Startups) at MeitY, highlighted the diversity of problem statements being addressed — from courtroom transcription solutions and rural health diagnostics to AI-powered advisory services for small farmers. He added that Indian AI startups are not only building applications but also developing inclusive digital infrastructure.
Sushant Kumar, Founder and CEO of Kalpa Impact, described India’s AI startup ecosystem as focused on “super-utility,” meaning real-world AI applications addressing human needs and public service challenges. He pointed out that many growth-stage companies have already expanded internationally, positioning India as an emerging AI export hub for developing economies.
From edge AI solutions that function without internet connectivity to voice bots operating in local dialects, Indian founders are developing full-stack AI systems tailored to subcontinental challenges while remaining globally relevant.
Access the Full Report
The complete repository report is available here:
https://d19ob9sqegt2wc.cloudfront.net/stage/uploads/India_s_AI_Impact_Startups_Compendium_Report_Design_For_Web_4089ae98f7.pdf
