India Launches First National Repository Mapping 110 AI-for-Impact Startups

The compendium marks a significant milestone in India’s emergence as a global hub for AI solutions designed for inclusion and real-world impact.

India has unveiled its first structured national mapping of artificial intelligence ventures delivering population-scale social and economic impact, with the release of “India’s AI Impact Startups” at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

Published jointly by IndiaAI and Kalpa Impact, the new repository profiles 110 startups and non-profits applying AI across critical development sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, education, climate resilience, financial inclusion, urban mobility and public service delivery.

The compendium marks a significant milestone in India’s emergence as a global hub for AI solutions designed for inclusion and real-world impact.

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First Comprehensive Mapping of India’s AI-for-Impact Ecosystem

The repository is the first effort to systematically document how Indian founders are building AI tools that are:

• Local in design

• Scalable in deployment

• Globally relevant in application

It highlights an ecosystem that is both rapidly experimenting and consolidating, with a growing cohort of ventures moving beyond pilots into deployed solutions serving millions.

Key trends identified include:

• Voice AI and vernacular interfaces as the primary channel for reaching underserved populations

• Rising investment in Made-in-India foundation models

• Expansion of AI applications into governance, health screening, agriculture advisory and legal systems

The report serves as a reference point for policymakers, investors and development institutions seeking integration-ready AI capabilities from the Global South.

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Resource for Policymakers, Investors and Global Development Partners

Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Director General of NIC and CEO of the IndiaAI Mission, said the repository provides a unified overview of ventures aligned with public priorities.

“For policymakers, it highlights capabilities ready for integration with existing digital public infrastructure,” Singh said.

“For industry and investors, it showcases ventures with technical maturity, scalability, and long-term potential.”

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Startups Moving from Pilots to Scaled Deployment

Mr. Mohammed Y. Safirulla K, IAS, IndiaAI Mission, described the repository as capturing a pivotal moment in India’s AI journey.

“This publication provides stakeholders with a clear view of where impact is already being delivered,” he said, noting that Indian startups are increasingly transitioning from promising pilots to scaled solutions serving millions.

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Building Infrastructure for Inclusion

Anshul Singhal, General Manager (Startups) at MeitY, emphasized the diversity of real-world problems being addressed.

“From courtroom transcription to rural health screening to smallholder farm advisory, Indian AI startups are not just building applications; they are building infrastructure for inclusion,” he said.

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India Positioned as an AI Export Hub for Emerging Economies

Kalpa Impact Founder and CEO Sushant Kumar said India’s AI ecosystem is increasingly focused on what he termed “super-utility” — AI deployed directly for human needs and public service challenges.

“Our analysis shows a majority of growth-stage companies have already expanded internationally, positioning India as an AI export hub for emerging economies,” Kumar said.

He highlighted innovations such as:

• Edge AI tools that function without internet connectivity

• Voice bots that operate in local dialects

• Full-stack solutions tailored to India’s unique needs but replicable globally

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Strengthening India’s Role in Global AI-for-Good Leadership

Researched and compiled by the Kalpa Impact team, the repository provides a snapshot of India’s rapidly maturing AI-for-impact landscape and reinforces the country’s ambition to lead the Global South in responsible, inclusive AI deployment.

The compendium is expected to support:

• Policy integration with Digital Public Infrastructure

• Investment into scalable AI ventures

• Replication of successful models across emerging economies

The repository is publicly available online.