India in Global AI Race

**I. India’s Ambition vs. Reality **

• Global Aspiration:
  • Lead voice for Global South in AI governance
  • Leverage democratic legitimacy & GPAI leadership
• Domestic Gaps:
  • IndiaAI Mission (₹10,372 cr) lacks:
    • Cabinet-approved national strategy
    • Political mandate (housed as MeitY Section 8 company)
    • Coordination authority across ministries

II. Structural Weaknesses

Domain	Key Deficits	Global Comparison
Talent & R&D	• Weak PhD pipeline • Low university rankings • Brain drain to US/EU	China: 25% global AI papers US: 60% top AI firms
Private Sector	• IT focus: services > innovation • Low VC in deep-tech • No "AI-first" giants	US: Google/Meta China: Baidu/Alibaba
Governance	• <1% parliamentary questions on AI • No oversight mechanisms • Technocratic policymaking	EU: AI Act (risk-based framework) UK: AI Safety Institute

**III. Democratic Governance Deficits **

• Parliamentary Exclusion:
  • No bipartisan consensus or dedicated committees
  • Undermines policy legitimacy & public trust
• Critical Neglect:
  • Strategic autonomy, public data use, energy demands
  • National security implications unaddressed

IV. Strategic Solutions

1. National AI Strategy:
   • Cabinet-approved roadmap aligned with security/economy
   • Parliamentary debate for legitimacy
2. Institutional Reform:
   • Empowered AI Authority with cross-ministerial mandate
   • Standing Committee on AI for oversight
3. Capacity Building:
   • Academia-industry R&D hubs
   • Incentivize deep-tech startups (e.g., Startup India Seed Fund)
4. Global Engagement:
   • Leverage GPAI for South-South cooperation
   • Export India Stack (DPI model)

Data Point: India has only 3% of world’s AI talent pool despite 20% population (NITI Aayog 2024).
Prelims Link: Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) - 29 members, India founding member.