Modi’s YUGM Pitch: Make AI in India, Make AI Work for India

If Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stirring address at the YUGM Innovation Conclave is anything to go by, that future might be closer than we think.

On a bright day at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, PM Modi took center stage at one of the country’s most defining innovation gatherings, painting a visionary roadmap for India’s technological destiny. At the heart of his keynote was a powerful message—“Make AI in India, Make AI Work for India.” Not just a slogan, but a clarion call for entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and policymakers alike.

The YUGM Innovation Conclave—aptly named after the Sanskrit word “YUGM” meaning confluence—brought together some of the brightest minds in governance, industry, research, and academia. Together, they discussed one mission: how India can transition from being a technology consumer to a global innovation powerhouse.

AI with a Purpose: From Labs to Lives

Artificial Intelligence isn’t just another emerging technology—it’s fast becoming the engine of change across sectors, from healthcare to agriculture and governance. At the YUGM Conclave, PM Modi made it clear: India won’t just follow global trends; it will set them.

“We are working on the vision of ‘Make AI in India’. And our aim is—‘Make AI work for India,’” he said.

This double-layered vision focuses on two fronts—developing cutting-edge AI technologies within India, and applying them meaningfully to solve real-world problems at scale.

The India-AI Mission, one of the government’s flagship initiatives, is pushing hard in this direction. From state-of-the-art research centers to homegrown AI datasets and high-end infrastructure, the goal is to democratize innovation and make sure AI is inclusive, scalable, and relevant to Indian needs.

Building India’s Innovation Muscle—Right from the Classroom

One of the most powerful messages from the conclave was clear: empowering India’s youth is non-negotiable if the country wants to lead the innovation race.

PM Modi showcased a slew of efforts already underway. Over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs have been set up to fuel school-level innovation—and now the government plans to add 50,000 more. Internship cells are active in over 7,000 institutions, connecting students directly with the startup ecosystem and industry mentors.

Schemes like PM Vidya Lakshmi, which supports education financing, and digital platforms like PM e-Vidya and DIKSHA, now offering textbooks in over 30 Indian and 7 foreign languages, are part of a larger push to make education future-ready and accessible.

This isn't just reform. It’s a reinvention.

Deep-Tech and Disruption: India Steps Up

From AI to biosciences, health tech to nanotech—India is now investing in deep-tech like never before.

PM Modi spotlighted two newly inaugurated Superhubs: one at IIT Kanpur, focusing on AI and intelligent systems, and another at IIT Bombay, dedicated to biosciences and health tech. These aren’t isolated institutions—they are becoming the nerve centers of next-gen technology development.

He urged academia, private players, and investors to collaborate deeply—compressing the timeline from “lab to market.” Because in innovation, timing is everything.

“Minimizing the time from lab to market is crucial for national development,” he noted.

The government is working in tandem, easing regulatory hurdles and fast-tracking clearances for innovation-led initiatives. The ecosystem is ripe, and the ambition is real.

WINning Together: Wadhwani Innovation Network Launched

In a significant announcement at the conclave, PM Modi launched the Wadhwani Innovation Network (WIN), a joint initiative between the Wadhwani Foundation and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). The mission? To fast-track late-stage research commercialization and bridge the "valley of death" that kills many promising innovations.

He lauded Dr. Romesh Wadhwani, a Silicon Valley success story with Indian roots, for giving back to the nation through investments in AI, agri-tech, and public-good technologies.

With a joint investment of ₹1,400 crore, the initiative will serve as a catalyst for innovation infrastructure and research funding, while nudging private sector capital into the game.

India’s Scientific Milestones: A Quiet Revolution

In what was perhaps one of the most inspiring parts of his address, PM Modi showcased India’s recent innovation breakthroughs:

• World’s longest hyperloop test track by IIT Madras

• Breakthrough nanotechnologies from IISc Bangalore

• India’s first indigenous MRI machine

These achievements are no longer confined to the lab—they're beginning to touch lives.

He proudly shared that Indian institutions have scaled global rankings—from 9 to 46 QS-ranked universities between 2014 and 2025. And their footprint is going global—with IIT Delhi opening in Abu Dhabi, IIT Madras in Tanzania, and IIM Ahmedabad in Dubai.

Clearly, the world is beginning to take notice.

Viksit Bharat @2047

The YUGM Conclave wasn’t just a ceremonial gathering—it was the blueprint of a bold, tech-powered, inclusive India. It envisioned a future where academia, industry, and government collaborate in seamless synergy to create a thriving innovation ecosystem.

From high-energy roundtables to a showcase of India’s deep-tech startups, the conclave laid the groundwork for what could become India’s Silicon Valley moment—only more decentralized and deeply rooted in grassroots innovation.

As PM Modi concluded, he left the audience not just with hope, but with a challenge.

“This is India’s moment. Let’s seize it—not just for ourselves, but for the generations to come.”

Why This Matters to Startups

For startups across India, especially those in AI, deep tech, or edtech, the Prime Minister’s speech was a clear endorsement and a call to action.

Whether you're building in AI, biosciences, agri-tech, or creating skilling platforms—India is ready to back its innovators with infrastructure, policy, and a fast-growing talent pool. The message from the top is unmistakable: Build for India, and the world will follow.

The YUGM Innovation Conclave was more than a policy event—it was a national mission statement. And now, it's time for the startup ecosystem to respond.