MeitY Plans AI Chatbot and Voice Bot to Support Indian Startups

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is developing an AI-powered chatbot and voice bot to assist startups in India. The initiative, launched under the MeitY Startup Hub (MSH), aims to offer 24/7 multilingual support, helping startups navigate government schemes, funding opportunities, and incubation programs.

According to a Call for Application (CFA) issued on March 20, 2025, the chatbot and voice bot will be integrated with the MSH portal to provide real-time assistance. The AI-driven system will streamline communication, offer human-like responses, and enhance the accessibility of information. The chatbot will understand and respond to queries based on Natural Language Processing (NLP), ensuring contextual and accurate replies.

The AI service will also generate leads, integrate with CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems, and provide analytics on user engagement. The voice bot is expected to handle up to 50 concurrent calls, offer intelligent call routing, and use sentiment analysis to adjust responses based on user tone. Additionally, the system must meet ISO 27001 and GDPR compliance for data security.

The chatbot and voice bot will support multiple languages, including Hindi, English, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Kannada, Spanish, Arabic, and German. Basic support will be available for Odia, Malayalam, Telugu, Punjabi, Gujarati, and Assamese. MeitY aims to bridge communication gaps for startups across Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 cities by offering multilingual assistance.

The selected startup must deploy the AI-powered service within five to seven days of receiving the work order. The initial deployment period is 12 months, with a potential extension based on performance. The project will include a planning phase, pilot deployment, and training sessions for MSH personnel.

The deadline for applications is March 26, 2025, with technical applications opening on March 27. Shortlisted startups will be invited for presentations before financial proposals are reviewed.

Source: Moneycontrol