IndiaAI Mission Launches EKA-1, Dhīr 2B and Dhīr 5B: India's Indigenous AI Models 2026
Key points
Why in the News?
The IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) announced the release of three indigenous AI foundation models: EKA-1, Dhīr 2B and Dhīr 5B.
The models were developed by Soket Labs Technology and Research Private Limited and ZenteiQ AiTech Innovations, respectively.
The launch took place in New Delhi in the presence of S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, along with senior government officials and representatives of the companies.
These models were developed under the IndiaAI Innovation Centre (Foundation Models) pillar to strengthen India's indigenous artificial intelligence capabilities, promote Indian-language AI and support secure digital applications.
What Is EKA-1 AI Model?
EKA-1 is an indigenous foundation AI model developed by Soket Labs Technology and Research Private Limited.
It is an open, sparse hybrid language model designed to support advanced artificial intelligence applications.
Key Features of EKA-1
Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
Model Name | EKA-1 |
Developer | Soket Labs |
Parameters | 26.3 Billion |
Training Data | Approximately 7.5 Trillion Tokens |
Languages | 22 Scheduled Indian Languages and English |
Architecture | Open, Sparse Hybrid Language Model |
Capabilities | Mathematics, Coding, Reasoning and Agentic AI |
Applications | Banking, Financial Services and Cybersecurity |
Why Is EKA-1 Important?
EKA-1 is designed to address India's linguistic diversity and sector-specific AI requirements.
Its potential applications include:
Banking and financial services.
Cybersecurity.
Mathematical reasoning.
Software development.
Multilingual AI applications.
Enterprise automation.
What Are Dhīr 2B and Dhīr 5B AI Models?
Dhīr 2B and Dhīr 5B are indigenous open-source AI models developed by ZenteiQ AiTech Innovations.
They are designed to operate as secure multilingual assistants, particularly in environments where internet connectivity is limited or sensitive data must remain within an organisation.
Key Features
Support English and 10 Indian languages.
Enable secure on-premise deployment.
Support offline-capable AI applications.
Assist with document-based information retrieval.
Support automation of government and enterprise services.
Can operate on different computing platforms, including GPUs and TPUs.
Their lightweight design enables certain applications to run locally on devices.
Major Applications
Sector | Potential Application |
|---|---|
Defence | Secure AI assistance |
Government | Citizen services and document processing |
Education | Multilingual learning assistance |
Industry | Knowledge retrieval and automation |
Enterprises | Secure internal AI applications |
Remote Areas | Offline-capable AI services |
What Is the IndiaAI Mission?
The IndiaAI Mission is a Government of India initiative aimed at strengthening the country's artificial intelligence ecosystem.
The Union Cabinet approved the mission in March 2024, with a financial outlay of ₹10,371.92 crore over five years.
Major Objectives
Develop indigenous AI capabilities.
Improve access to AI computing infrastructure.
Support AI research and innovation.
Promote AI applications in Indian languages.
Encourage responsible and trustworthy AI.
Support startups and AI skill development.
What Is a Foundation AI Model?
A foundation model is an artificial intelligence model trained on large datasets that can be adapted to perform different tasks.
These tasks may include:
Language translation.
Text generation.
Question answering.
Coding.
Document analysis.
Reasoning.
Foundation models can serve as the technological base for specialised AI applications.
Why Are Indigenous AI Models Important for India?
1. Technological Sovereignty
Domestic AI development can reduce dependence on foreign AI technologies.
2. Indian Language Inclusion
Models supporting Indian languages can make AI services accessible to a wider population.
3. Data Security
On-premise and offline-capable models can help organisations retain greater control over sensitive data.
4. Digital Governance
AI can support public service delivery, administrative efficiency and document processing.
5. Research and Innovation
Indigenous AI models can create opportunities for Indian researchers, startups and technology companies.
Conclusion
The release of EKA-1, Dhīr 2B and Dhīr 5B represents an important development in India's indigenous artificial intelligence ecosystem.
By supporting Indian languages, secure deployment and sector-specific applications, these models can contribute to India's goals of technological sovereignty, digital inclusion and AI-driven innovation.
