The IndiaAI Mission, under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, organised the AIKosh University Engagement Programme (UEP) at Chitkara University, Rajpura, on August 6, 2026. The programme aimed to strengthen AI awareness, democratise access to AI resources, and equip students with the knowledge and tools required to participate in India's rapidly growing artificial intelligence ecosystem.

Approved by the Government of India in March 2024, the IndiaAI Mission is driving the country's vision of becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence by fostering innovation, enabling responsible AI development, strengthening indigenous AI capabilities, and ensuring that the benefits of AI reach every section of the society.

A key pillar of the Mission, AIKosh serves as India's unified data platform, providing access to high-quality datasets, AI models, toolkits, benchmarks and other critical resources that support research and AI application development. Through the AIKosh University Engagement Programme, the IndiaAI Mission seeks to introduce students and academic institutions to these national AI assets while encouraging hands-on learning and innovation.

As part of the programme, 250+ students from Chitkara University participated in expert sessions, live demonstrations and hands-on activities designed to familiarise them with AIKosh and the broader IndiaAI ecosystem. Participants also explored the AIKosh MCP (Model Context Protocol) and AIKosh SDK (Software Development Kit) which enables users to discover datasets and AI models using natural language, simplifying access to national AI resources and lowering barriers for both developers and non-developers.

Speaking on the initiative, Shri Md. Y. Safirulla K IAS, Director, IndiaAI Mission, said:

"Guided by the vision of our Honourable Prime Minister to democratize AI, we are committed to ensuring its transformative benefits reach every individual across the nation. This commitment rests upon three foundational pillars—People, Planet, and Progress—a philosophy prominently showcased during the IndiaAI Impact Summit in February 2026. As part of our University Engagement Programme, we will work to showcase the multifaceted elements of India's thriving AI ecosystem across educational institutions nationwide this year."

Welcoming the collaboration, Dr. Madhu Chitkara, President and Co-founder, Chitkara University, said:

"Artificial Intelligence is transforming the way we learn, innovate, and solve complex challenges. At Chitkara University, we have always believed in preparing our students for the technologies that will shape the future. Our collaboration with the IndiaAI Mission through the AIKosh University Engagement Programme reflects our commitment to nurturing future-ready professionals equipped with the knowledge, skills, and responsible understanding of AI. This initiative will empower our students to engage with cutting-edge AI resources and contribute meaningfully to India's vision of becoming a global AI leader."

As part of the next phase of the AIKosh University Engagement Programme, students will be encouraged to contribute datasets through the AIKosh open-source community and the University's institutional profile on AIKosh. They will also be encouraged to enrich existing datasets and develop proof-of-concept AI applications addressing public-good use cases. Outstanding student-led contributions may be considered for future recognition, creating a pathway from AI literacy and dataset exploration to innovation and real-world problem solving.

The AIKosh University Engagement Programme is a nationwide initiative designed to deepen AI adoption across higher educational institutions by introducing students, researchers and faculty members to India's national AI infrastructure. Today, AIKosh hosts 14,000+ Datasets, 300+ AI models and 30+ Toolkits, enabling researchers, startups, developers and students to build AI solutions using trusted national resources.

The programme at Chitkara University marks another step towards building a vibrant AI-ready talent pool and advancing the IndiaAI Mission's vision of creating an inclusive, responsible and innovation-driven AI ecosystem for the nation. Through the AIKosh University Engagement Programme, the Mission will continue to engage academic institutions across the country, fostering campus-level AI communities that contribute to datasets, models, applications, research and responsible AI adoption.

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Vinod Kumar / Kanishk Sharma

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