BS EDIT: Safeguarding Competition in India’s AI Market

By Business StandardPublished On Oct 21, 2025

AI Growth Story

India’s AI economy has doubled to $6 billion in 2024 and could reach $32 billion by 2031, but barriers threaten inclusive growth

Market Challenges

Data access limits, talent shortages, and high Cloud costs create strong entry barriers for smaller firms and stifle meaningful innovation

Dominance of Big Tech

AWS, Microsoft, and Google dominate India’s Cloud, while Nvidia, Intel, and AMD lead AI chips. Their market control risks monopolistic outcomes

Global Lessons

Europe, the US, and China are regulating AI infrastructure and Cloud services to prevent lock-in and ensure competitive markets

Policy Imperatives

India must define gatekeeper firms, enforce transparency in pricing and algorithms, and prevent infrastructure lock-ins to protect smaller innovators

Moving Forward

Beyond NITI Aayog’s AI initiatives, stronger ex-ante rules, data trusts, and penalties for anti-competitive practices are key for a fair, sovereign AI ecosystem