Analysis · AI & Deep Tech

Adya.ai CEO critiques budget AI gaps

By Startup Enthusiast · 1 February 2026

What they do

Adya.ai is a startup that builds and funds AI companies

CEO Shayak Mazumder notes the budget lacks startup support like compute credits

Mazumder calls the missing INR 20,000 Cr deeptech fund a significant miss

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her ninth consecutive Union Budget on 1 Feb 2026.
The budget framed AI as an enabling layer for governance rather than a startup opportunity.
Adya.ai CEO Shayak Mazumder analyzed the government's approach to artificial intelligence policy.
Mazumder stated that decisions from the government lens appear mature across multiple technology layers.
He noted the government balanced sovereignty with open markets requiring value addition in India.
From a startup perspective, Mazumder identified immediate operational gaps in the current policy framework.
These gaps include no mention of government procurement or affordable access to computing power.
Mazumder highlighted the absence of clear centralized guidelines for model risk and compliance.
He called the expected INR 20,000 Cr deeptech fund a big miss for the ecosystem.

The budget treats AI as public infrastructure embedded top-down by the state.
This approach lacks direct mentions of predictable procurement or affordable compute access for startups.
Founders face friction building compliant products without clear centralized governance guidelines.
The government is lowering infrastructure costs first rather than announcing direct startup subsidies.

Adya.ai develops artificial intelligence platforms designed for government and public sectors.
The company focuses on integrating technologies into governance systems and public service delivery.
Its solutions aim to serve farmers, women in STEM, and youth upskilling programs.
Adya.ai operates within the broader context of India's digital public infrastructure push.
The company provides tools that act as force multipliers for better governance outcomes.

The IT minister announced an India AI Mission 2.0 with more startup-focused announcements possible.
Startups may need to focus on defensibility through proprietary data and workflow orchestration.