India hosted the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 16-20 February 2026. It marked the first time a global convening of this scale on artificial intelligence was organised in the Global South. Linked with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the summit positioned India as a convenor of responsible, inclusive and development-oriented AI discussions.
The summit was structured around three Sutras: People, Planet and Progress. For exam preparation, this means AI should not be studied only as a technology theme, but also as a governance issue connected with human development, environmental sustainability and equitable economic progress. Its seven Chakras covered Human Capital, Inclusion for Social Empowerment, Safe and Trusted AI, Resilience-Innovation-Efficiency, Science, Democratizing AI Resources, and AI for Economic Development and Social Good.
The summit brought together more than 100 government representatives, more than 20 heads of state or government, 60 ministers and vice ministers, and over 500 global AI leaders. The three Global Impact Challenges - AI for ALL, AI by HER and YUVAi - received more than 4,650 applications from over 60 countries, and 70 teams were selected as finalists. The Research Symposium received around 250 research submissions from Africa, Asia and Latin America.
For RAS and UPSC, it can be used as an example of responsible, inclusive and development-oriented AI cooperation in the Global South. Prelims questions can focus on the venue, dates, themes and initiatives, while mains answers can use it for digital public good, the Global South's role, safe and trusted AI governance and inclusive technology.