MeitY Launches AI Impact Startup Book

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has unveiled the “AI Impact Startup Book” at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, presenting a comprehensive mapping of India’s artificial intelligence and deep-tech startup ecosystem. The compendium captures the scale, diversity and global footprint of Indian AI ventures, marking a milestone in documenting the country’s transition from experimentation to globally competitive innovation.

The publication consolidates insights from a wide sample of startups and identifies emerging sectoral and technological trends. It positions India as an increasingly significant hub for AI-driven solutions across public and private domains.

Mapping India’s Expanding AI Ecosystem

The report highlights strong representation in healthcare AI, alongside rapid progress in foundation models, databases and indigenous AI infrastructure. Startups are also developing waste-tech solutions, voice- and vision-based applications tailored to Indian contexts, and edge AI integrated with hardware systems. Nearly 47 per cent of early-stage ventures maintain a strong local presence, while 68 per cent of growth-stage startups operate internationally, signalling expanding global linkages.

The compendium also notes the geographical spread of innovation beyond metropolitan centres, reflecting a broader democratisation of India’s technology ecosystem.

From Infrastructure to Impact

Abhishek Singh, Director General of the National Informatics Centre (NIC), Additional Secretary at MeitY and CEO of India AI, stressed that AI success must be measured by citizen impact rather than infrastructure creation alone. He underscored the importance of deploying AI in healthcare, agriculture, education and employment.

The compendium serves as a repository of AI solutions, enabling ministries and state governments to assess maturity and real-world performance for population-scale deployment. Language-enabled agricultural advisory systems were cited as examples of AI’s potential to bridge last-mile gaps across diverse linguistic communities.

Scaling Use-Case Driven Innovation

The next phase of India’s AI journey will focus on connecting solution providers with implementing agencies and moving beyond pilot projects. The report lists 100 AI solutions and sets an ambitious target of scaling at least 10 impactful solutions within 12 to 18 months. This approach aims to position India as a global “use-case capital” for applied AI innovation.

Important Facts for Exams

• MeitY is the nodal ministry for India’s AI and digital governance initiatives.
• National Informatics Centre (NIC) functions under MeitY.
• The AI Impact Startup Book maps 100 Indian AI solutions.
• Healthcare and foundation models are key growth areas in India’s AI ecosystem.

Policy Support and Global Ambitions

Insights shared by industry contributors indicate eight major trends, including indigenous foundation model development, expanding edge AI innovation and strong international operations among growth-stage firms. The launch reflects the increasing maturity of India’s AI startup landscape, supported by enabling policy frameworks, Digital Public Infrastructure and strengthened international collaboration, signalling a decisive shift towards scalable and globally competitive AI solutions.