The IndiaAI Mission, under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, organised the AIKosh University Engagement Programme (UEP) at the National Institute of Technology, Andhra Pradesh, Tadepalligudem, on October 5, 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 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, 160+ students from NIT Andhra Pradesh 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 enable 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, the IndiaAI Mission continues to carry this commitment to campuses across the country. At the National Institute of Technology, Andhra Pradesh, we see the same three pillars that have anchored our work -- People, Planet, and Progress -- brought to life through a new generation of students ready to engage with India's AI ecosystem. The AIKosh University Engagement Programme is how we turn that vision into something tangible: real datasets, real models, and real opportunities for students to contribute to the nation's AI journey."

Welcoming the collaboration, Dr. KV Krishna Rao, Director, NIT Andhra Pradesh, said: "Through the AIKosh platform, we are building a powerful knowledge-transfer system for the nation -- building on foundational efforts like BharatGen. To stay ahead in the global AI race, platforms like AIKosh are essential in harnessing AI to drive positive development for the country."

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 institute'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 16,000+ Datasets, 350+ AI models and 200+ use cases, enabling researchers, startups, developers and students to build AI solutions using trusted national resources.

The programme at NIT Andhra Pradesh 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 / Dhanya Ranjan

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