Union Finance Minister highlights India’s proactive approach to AI governance, research, and innovation at IIIT Kottayam convocation
India Strengthens AI Adoption and Governance, Says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
New Delhi, February 23: India is not just adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) but is actively shaping policies for its governance, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said during the 6th Convocation Ceremony of IIIT Kottayam on Saturday. She emphasized that India is taking inputs from stakeholders to ensure AI remains ethical, inclusive, and trustworthy.
Highlighting the government’s India AI Mission, Sitharaman shared that the initiative has a budget outlay of ₹10,300 crore to develop indigenous AI capabilities, build computing infrastructure, and support AI startups. She also mentioned three AI Centres of Excellence launched in Healthcare, Agriculture, and Sustainable Cities, with a fourth centre focused on Education introduced in this year’s budget.
India’s Role in Global AI Leadership
Sitharaman referenced the AI Action Summit in Paris, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored AI’s global responsibility. She noted that AI governance is a priority for India, ensuring technological advancements align with ethical and regulatory frameworks.
The Minister also emphasized India’s growing position in research and innovation, highlighting initiatives such as the India Semiconductor Mission (2021), the National Quantum Mission (2023), and the newly established ₹1 lakh crore Anusandhan corpus to fund long-term research in emerging domains.
Boosting Space and Green Energy Sectors
India’s advancements in space technology were also discussed, with IN-SPACe signing over 70 MoUs with Non-Government Entities (NGEs) to support private space ventures. Sitharaman also mentioned the National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched with an outlay of ₹20,000 crore, aimed at positioning India as a global hub for Green Hydrogen production and export.
India’s Rising Global Innovation Index Rank
Sitharaman highlighted India’s impressive rise in global rankings:
✅ Global Innovation Index – From 81st in 2015 to 39th in 2024
✅ Patent-to-GDP ratio – Increased from 144 (2013) to 381 (2023)
✅ Intangible Asset Intensity Rank – 7th globally (WIPO 2023)
✅ Intellectual Property Filings – 6th worldwide
✅ Network Readiness Index – From 79th in 2019 to 49th in 2024
She also mentioned the government’s proposal to introduce 10,000 PM Research Fellowships for technological research in IITs and IISc, alongside the establishment of five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling to equip youth with advanced manufacturing skills.
Commendation for IIIT Kottayam
Applauding IIIT Kottayam’s contributions to technology and research, Sitharaman praised its three incubation centres, including an Atal Incubation Centre and two MSME support hubs. She lauded the institute’s 400+ research publications, including work by undergraduate students.
The convocation ceremony marked a significant milestone for IIIT Kottayam, reinforcing the government’s vision of positioning India as a global leader in AI, technology, and innovation.
Tags: Artificial Intelligence, AI governance, India AI Mission, Nirmala Sitharaman, IIIT Kottayam, research and innovation, tech policies, space technology, AI regulations