Jakarta, INTI - Sarvam, an Indian artificial intelligence startup specializing in models tailored for local languages and users, officially launched its Indus chat application on Friday for both web and mobile platforms. With this move, the company steps into a rapidly expanding market largely led by global technology players such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google.
The rollout takes place as India emerges as a major arena for generative AI growth. Recently, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said ChatGPT has more than 100 million weekly active users in India, while Anthropic said India accounts for 5.8% of total Claude usage, second only to the U.S.
Powered by a 105B Model and Strategic Partnerships
Indus functions as the conversational interface for Sarvam’s newly introduced Sarvam 105B model, a 105-billion-parameter large language model. The app debuted just two days after the Bengaluru-based startup revealed its 105B and 30B models at the India AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi earlier this week. During the event, Sarvam also presented its enterprise-focused initiatives, hardware strategies, and partnership announcements, including collaborations with HMD to integrate AI into Nokia feature phones and with Bosch for AI-powered automotive solutions.
Now available in beta across iOS, Android, and web platforms, the Indus application enables users to submit queries via text or voice and receive responses in both written and audio formats. Users can register using their phone number, Google or Microsoft account, or Apple ID. However, the service currently appears to be accessible only within India.
Early Limitations and Expansion Plans
The application still has several constraints. Users are unable to erase their chat history unless they delete their accounts entirely, and there is no feature to disable the reasoning function, which may occasionally result in slower response times. Sarvam has also cautioned that user access could be limited while the company progressively scales up its computing capacity.
“We’re gradually rolling out Indus on a limited compute capacity, so you may hit a waitlist at first. We will expand access over time,” Sarvam co-founder Pratyush Kumar wrote on X, adding that the company is seeking feedback from users.
Established in 2023, Sarvam has secured a total of $41 million in funding from investors such as Lightspeed Venture Partners, Peak XV Partners, and Khosla Ventures, supporting its efforts to develop large language models specifically designed for the Indian market.
Sarvam is part of a small yet expanding cohort of Indian startups working to create homegrown alternatives to global AI platforms, aligning with India’s ambition to strengthen sovereignty over its artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Conclusion
Sarvam’s launch of the Indus chat app signals India’s accelerating push to build homegrown AI platforms amid intensifying global competition. While the app is still in beta with certain limitations, its large-scale language model, strategic partnerships, and investor backing position it as a serious domestic contender. As India seeks greater sovereignty in AI infrastructure, startups like Sarvam are playing a pivotal role in shaping the country’s generative AI ecosystem.
Read more: Indonesia Promotes Socially Impactful AI at AI Impact Summit 2026