AI Initiatives in Indian Higher Education: Dayananda Sagar University Launches India's First AI Factory with NVIDIA; Maharashtra Boosts AI Infrastruct

Dayananda Sagar University's Groundbreaking AI Factory

Dayananda Sagar University (DSU) in Bengaluru has positioned itself at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) integration in Indian higher education by launching what it claims to be India's first AI Factory in partnership with NVIDIA. Announced in early 2026 and backed by an investment of Rs 175 crore, this state-of-the-art facility is powered by NVIDIA's DGX B200 clusters, marking a significant milestone in transforming university campuses into hubs of generative AI innovation.

The DSU AI Factory serves as the 'Central Brain' of the university, enabling advanced capabilities in generative AI, cyber defense, and rapid prototyping. It hosts DSU-GPT, a custom large language model tailored for educational applications, and supports hands-on research in areas like autonomous systems, robot intelligence, and human-robot interaction. Students and faculty gain access to high-performance GPU compute clusters, NVIDIA Jetson embedded systems, Xilinx hardware for vision AI, and specialized labs including robotics workshops, deep learning environments equipped with TensorFlow and PyTorch, and an autonomous vehicle testing arena.

This initiative aligns with DSU's vision to become India's first AI-First University. Through its M.Tech program in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, the factory facilitates a curriculum that emphasizes practical skills: from robotics kinematics and computer vision to reinforcement learning and simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). Mandatory six-month industry internships with partners like NVIDIA, ISRO, and DRDO ensure graduates are industry-ready, focusing on capstone projects that yield prototypes or publishable research.

The partnership with NVIDIA not only provides cutting-edge hardware but also training academies on campus, allowing students to pursue certifications and live projects. This infrastructure empowers DSU to host events like the pre-summit for India AI Impact Summit 2026 on 'AI Adoption in Higher Education: Key for Building a Net-Zero Future Enabled Viksit Bharat 2047,' underscoring its role in national AI discourse.

Maharashtra's Strategic Push for AI in Higher Education

In a timely development on February 13, 2026, the Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Department (HTED) approved an annual budget of Rs 22 lakh to procure AI infrastructure, signaling the state's commitment to modernizing its educational ecosystem under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This government resolution, supported by consultancy from Ernst and Young LLP, targets enhancements in data analytics, institutional dashboards, and human resource management systems (HRMS).

The procured infrastructure will include AI Query Assistants to streamline access to academic, administrative, and institutional data. Sourced via the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal or e-tender processes, it aims to foster data-driven decision-making across Maharashtra's universities and colleges. This move builds on prior efforts, such as plans for India's first AI university led by industry experts—specializing in machine learning, data science, robotics, and automation—and partnerships like upGrad's Rs 2,150 crore initiative to establish AI Excellence Centres training one million students.

Maharashtra's focus addresses regional needs, leveraging its industrial hubs like Mumbai and Pune to bridge academia-industry gaps. By integrating AI into administrative workflows and teaching support, the state is preparing for scalable AI adoption, potentially influencing enrollment and research output in technical institutions.

National Momentum: Government Policies Fueling AI Growth

India's Union Budget 2026 allocated Rs 1,000 crore to the IndiaAI Mission, bolstering domestic AI research and development while emphasizing education. Complementary initiatives like Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR), launched in July 2025 by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, target AI pedagogy training for millions. These efforts position higher education as a cornerstone of India's third-place ranking in Stanford's 2025 Global AI Vibrancy Index.

The National Education Policy 2020 mandates technology integration, with AI compulsory in curricula from 2026-27. Reports indicate over 60% of higher education institutions (HEIs) now permit AI tools, and 53% have adopted generative AI policies, per FICCI-EY Parthenon insights. This national push democratizes AI, making it accessible across 1,338 universities serving 155 million students.

Leading Universities Embracing AI Innovations

Beyond DSU and Maharashtra, premier institutions are pioneering AI. IIT Madras unveiled Bodhan AI at the Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026, partnering with Sarvam AI to build a sovereign AI-powered education ecosystem tailored for India's multilingual context. IIT Bombay signed an MoU with Columbia University to establish a Centre of AI for Manufacturing, focusing on industrial applications.

Other examples include Andhra Pradesh's NVIDIA-backed AI University in Amaravati, aiming to be a hub for AI education and governance. These collaborations exemplify a shift toward AI-First frameworks, with universities like DSU issuing global calls for AI Centres of Excellence to advance research and industry ties.

• IIT Madras: Sovereign AI for 22 official languages, teacher training bots.
• IIT Bombay: AI in manufacturing, cross-border research.
• Andhra Pradesh AI University: Full AI curriculum, NVIDIA infrastructure.

Adoption Statistics and Transformative Impacts

AI adoption in Indian HEIs has surged: 92% student usage in 2025 (up from 66% in 2024), 50% institutions using generative AI for content creation, and 60% prioritizing AI strategically. A University World News report predicts AI will make education more flexible and inclusive over the next decade.

Benefits include personalized learning—AI tutors adapting to individual paces—and administrative efficiency, reducing workload by automating assessments. In research, GPU clusters accelerate simulations, enabling breakthroughs in healthcare and climate modeling. For stakeholders, faculty gain tools for hybrid teaching, students access global certifications, and employers tap skilled talent via platforms like higher-ed-jobs.

• Personalized pathways: 47.5% projected increase in AI usage by experts.
• Research boost: AI tools in 99 studies show high acceptance for individualized learning.
• Economic impact: AI to add $550 billion to India by 2035, led by education-agri sectors.

Challenges and Solutions in AI Integration

Despite progress, challenges persist: infrastructure gaps in tier-2/3 colleges, ethical concerns like bias in AI models, and faculty upskilling needs. Data privacy under NEP and digital divides affect rural institutions.

Solutions involve phased rollouts: start with cloud-based AI via NVIDIA or Google Gemini (India leads global usage). Training 10 million teachers by 2026-27 via SOAR, and policies for ethical AI. DSU's model—industry partnerships funding labs—offers a blueprint. Governments can subsidize GeM procurements, as in Maharashtra.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Real-World Cases

Students at DSU report 30% faster project completion using AI Factory tools. Faculty praise DSU-GPT for content generation, freeing time for mentorship. Industry leaders like NVIDIA highlight India's demographic edge—young talent fueling AI vibrancy.

Case: DSU's Reverse Engineer Pedagogy dissects real AI systems step-by-step: (1) Analyze model architecture, (2) Train on datasets, (3) Deploy via edge devices, (4) Iterate with feedback. This cultural fit—blending tradition with tech—resonates in India's diverse context.

Explore faculty insights on Rate My Professor or career advice at higher-ed-career-advice.

Future Outlook: AI-Driven Higher Education Horizon

By 2035, AI infrastructure could span 27 billion sq ft in Indian HE, with $100 billion investments. Trends: Multimodal AI for vernacular education, VR labs, predictive analytics for dropouts. Viksit Bharat 2047 envisions net-zero campuses via AI-optimized energy.

Institutions adopting early, like DSU, will lead rankings. Job markets demand AI skills—check university-jobs and India higher ed opportunities. Maharashtra's dashboard AI could scale nationally, tracking 155 million students' progress.

Photo by Nitish Gouda on Unsplash

Actionable Insights for Universities and Careers

To implement: (1) Assess readiness via free audits, (2) Partner for GPUs (NVIDIA academies), (3) Train via SOAR, (4) Pilot generative tools ethically. Students: Build portfolios with DSU-like projects for faculty jobs or lecturer roles.

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