India’s Data Centre Capacity Sees Explosive Growth
In a significant development for India’s digital infrastructure, the country’s installed data centre capacity has witnessed a remarkable four-fold growth since 2020, reaching an impressive 1,575 megawatts (MW). This exponential increase, as per the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, is a testament to the nation’s concerted efforts to expand its computing infrastructure and support the burgeoning adoption of artificial intelligence (AI).
From 375 MW to 1,575 MW: A Four-Fold Leap
As of 2020, India’s installed data centre capacity stood at a mere 375 MW. However, in a short span of six years, this capacity has surged to an astonishing 1,575 MW, representing a staggering four-fold increase. This growth trajectory is a direct result of the government’s initiatives to support the development of AI and provide researchers, start-ups, and innovators with access to high-performance computing resources.
IndiaAI Mission: Unlocking High-Performance Computing
The IndiaAI Mission, a key initiative under the Ministry, has been instrumental in scaling up India’s computing infrastructure. As of June 2026, the mission has expanded shared compute capacity to an impressive 45,000+ Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). This significant milestone has enabled researchers, start-ups, and innovators to access affordable high-performance computing resources, thereby lowering the entry barriers for Indian researchers, start-ups, and innovators.
Subsidised AI Computing Infrastructure: A Game-Changer
By August 2026, 237 projects had accessed subsidised AI computing infrastructure, accounting for an impressive 93.18 lakh GPU hours. This development is a direct result of the IndiaAI Mission’s efforts to provide affordable high-performance computing for AI model development, training, testing, and research. The mission’s focus on making high-performance computing accessible to a wider audience has been a significant factor in driving India’s AI ecosystem forward.
Data Centre Infrastructure Expansion
India’s data centre infrastructure is currently concentrated across major technology and commercial hubs, including Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, and Gujarat. However, the industry is expanding into newer investment destinations, with the Ministry highlighting the potential of states like Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal. These emerging hubs are expected to play a crucial role in driving India’s data centre growth in the coming years.
Developing Indigenous AI Models
The government’s efforts to develop indigenous AI models have been a significant aspect of India’s AI ecosystem growth. The Ministry has selected 20 indigenous foundation model proposals from 506 applications, including 12 Large Multimodal Models and eight Small Language Models. This initiative aims to strengthen India’s capability to develop AI models suited to Indian languages, needs, and contexts.
AI Kosh: A Treasure Trove of AI Resources
AI Kosh, a key platform supporting India’s AI ecosystem, has hosted over 14,000 datasets and 331 AI models for researchers, developers, and innovators as of July 2026. This repository of AI resources has been a game-changer for the Indian AI community, providing researchers with access to a vast array of datasets and models.
Building a Self-Reliant AI Ecosystem
The IndiaAI Mission, approved with an outlay of approximately ₹10,372 crore, is aimed at building domestic AI capabilities and supporting innovation, economic growth, and public-service delivery. The combined expansion of computing infrastructure and AI capabilities is expected to create a self-reliant and globally competitive technology ecosystem in the country. As India continues to drive its AI growth, the nation is poised to emerge as a major player in the global AI landscape.