Krutrim acquires BharatSah'AI'yak, supercharging India's vernacular public AI.

In a significant move to accelerate its artificial intelligence ambitions, Ola's AI venture, Krutrim, has acquired the AI-powered platform BharatSah'AI'yak.[1][2] This strategic acquisition aims to combine Krutrim's advanced large language models (LLMs) and cloud infrastructure with BharatSah'AI'yak's specialized expertise in developing AI solutions for the public sector. The deal underscores a growing trend of leveraging AI to enhance government initiatives and citizen services across India, with a sharp focus on vernacular and accessible technology.[1][2] Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.[2]

The integration of BharatSah'AI'yak, a platform developed by the governance consulting firm Samagra, is set to bolster Krutrim's capabilities in serving a wide array of public sector needs.[1][2] BharatSah'AI'yak has been instrumental in deploying AI solutions for government projects in education, agriculture, and citizen services.[1][2] The platform specializes in creating Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG)-based AI bots that are Bharat-focused and can interact in various Indian languages through both text and voice.[2] Notable projects developed by the platform include an AI chatbot for the Maha Kumbh 2025, known as KumbhSah'AI'yak, and the AMA Krushi AI chatbot in Odisha, which provides agricultural advice to farmers.[1] By absorbing this technology and the core AI team from Samagra, Krutrim plans to scale these solutions nationwide, making them more widely available across different regions and sectors.[1] This aligns with Krutrim's overarching goal to build AI that is inclusive, intuitive, and deeply connected to the realities of India.[2]

The acquisition is a key component of Krutrim’s broader strategy to create a comprehensive, full-stack AI ecosystem within India.[3] Launched in December 2023 by Ola's co-founder Bhavish Aggarwal, Krutrim quickly achieved unicorn status, signaling strong confidence in its mission to build India's own AI.[3] The company's ambition is not just to create software but to control the entire technology stack, from developing its own large language models and indigenous data centers to designing its own semiconductor chips.[3][4] This vertical integration is seen as crucial for achieving digital sovereignty and reducing India's reliance on foreign technology infrastructure.[3][5] Aggarwal has been vocal about the need for an AI that is "Indian at heart" and tailored to the nation's unique cultural and linguistic landscape.[3] Krutrim’s LLMs are trained on over two trillion tokens, with a significant representation of Indic data, enabling them to understand and generate content in numerous Indian languages.[3][6]

This move also signals a significant push towards democratizing AI in India, particularly for public services.[2] Experts believe the integration will help scale AI-driven services that can improve administrative efficiency and service delivery. The focus on vernacular capabilities is particularly important in a country with immense linguistic diversity.[1] By providing AI assistants that can communicate in local languages, Krutrim aims to make technology more accessible to a broader population, including those in rural areas with lower digital literacy but high mobile penetration.[1] The potential economic impact is substantial, with projections suggesting that AI could add significantly to India's GDP growth by 2035, especially through sector-specific applications in areas like agriculture and public services.[1] The acquisition of BharatSah'AI'yak provides Krutrim with a direct channel to implement and refine these applications in real-world scenarios, addressing critical needs such as providing timely agricultural advice to farmers.[1]

In conclusion, Krutrim's acquisition of BharatSah'AI'yak marks a pivotal moment in India's journey towards AI self-reliance and the digital transformation of its public sector. By merging its powerful AI models and cloud platform with specialized public-sector solutions, Krutrim is poised to accelerate the development and deployment of accessible, vernacular AI services across the nation. This strategic deal not only strengthens Krutrim's position in the market but also aligns with the national agenda of fostering homegrown technology to solve uniquely Indian challenges. The move represents a concrete step towards building an inclusive AI ecosystem that can empower citizens and enhance governance, ultimately contributing to India's ambition of becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence.[1][2]