The IndiaAI Mission has launched three indigenous artificial intelligence foundation models as part of efforts to strengthen India's homegrown AI capabilities.

The models are named EKA-1, Dhīr 2B and Dhīr 5B. Their release was reported by News On AIR and separately identified in reports from Goodreturns and BusinessLine published on 3 and 4 November 2026.

The development places domestically developed foundation models at the centre of India's AI strategy. Foundation models are large-scale AI systems that can support a range of applications, but the supplied reports do not provide details about the models' training data, performance, availability or intended user groups.

Models linked to Indian developers

Reports from The Economic Times identified Soket Labs and ZenteiQ in connection with the launch of indigenous foundation models under the IndiaAI Mission. The available material does not specify which organisation developed each model or describe the companies' individual roles.

The model names reported across the coverage are EKA-1, Dhīr 2B and Dhīr 5B. The names “2B” and “5B” appear as part of the model titles, but the supplied reports do not explain the designations or provide verified parameter counts. They should therefore not be treated as technical specifications.

Why the launch matters

The release is intended to support India's effort to build domestic AI capability, according to the reported announcement. Developing local foundation models can give institutions and businesses access to systems created within the country's AI ecosystem, although the supplied information does not establish how widely the models will be deployed.

The launch also adds to recent public discussion about India's approach to artificial intelligence. A World Bank Group report titled World Development Report 2026: The Promise of Artificial Intelligence was launched in New Delhi by Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in October 2026, according to PIB. That background is separate from the model launch and does not provide technical details about EKA-1, Dhīr 2B or Dhīr 5B.

What is known next

The reports currently confirm the release and the names of the three models. They do not state whether the models are open source, where users can access them, which languages they support, what sectors they target or how they compare with other AI systems.

Those details will be important for users, developers and organisations assessing whether the models can be adopted in practical applications. No further verified information about access, licensing, benchmarks or deployment was included in the supplied material.

Conclusion

The IndiaAI Mission has released EKA-1, Dhīr 2B and Dhīr 5B as indigenous foundation models, signalling a push to strengthen India's domestic AI capabilities. Further information is needed on their technical performance, access and deployment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What has the IndiaAI Mission launched?

The mission has launched three indigenous AI foundation models.

Q. What are the names of the models?

They are EKA-1, Dhīr 2B and Dhīr 5B.

Q. Which organisations were associated with the launch?

Reports from The Economic Times identified Soket Labs and ZenteiQ in connection with the launch.

Q. What is the stated purpose of the launch?

The launch is intended to strengthen India's homegrown AI capabilities.

Q. Are technical specifications available?

The supplied reports do not provide verified details about training data, benchmarks, access, licensing or deployment.

Q. When was the launch reported?

The launch was reported on 3 and 4 November 2026.