Apps & Consumer
Sarvam launches Indus AI chat app in India
Sarvam has launched its Indus chat app, which appears limited to India, as the startup builds domestic alternatives to global AI platforms like OpenAI and Google.
On Friday, the Indian artificial intelligence startup Sarvam launched its Indus chat app for both web and mobile users. The new application serves as the primary chat interface for the Sarvam 105B model, which is the company’s 105-billion-parameter large language model. While the app is available in beta across iOS, Android, and the web, the service currently appears to be limited to users in India.
The launch positions Sarvam to compete directly with global technology companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, all of which have established significant user bases in the Indian market. India has quickly become a key battleground for generative AI adoption. For context, ChatGPT has more than 100 million weekly active users in India, according to OpenAI. Meanwhile, Anthropic has stated that India accounts for 5.8% of total Claude usage, making it the platform’s second-largest market behind the U.S.
Beyond the consumer-facing chat app, Sarvam is diversifying its broader portfolio. The startup recently introduced a 30-billion-parameter model, known as the Sarvam 30B model, alongside its larger 105B model. Sarvam has also established strategic partnerships to integrate its technology across different sectors. These include a partnership with HMD to bring AI capabilities to Nokia feature phones, and another with Bosch to develop AI-enabled automotive applications. To support these initiatives, the startup, which was founded in 2023, has raised $41 million in total funding to date from investors including Lightspeed Venture Partners, Peak XV Partners, and Khosla Ventures as it builds large language models tailored for India.
However, the rollout of the Indus app faces immediate infrastructure constraints. Access to the app may be restricted as the company gradually expands its compute capacity. Sarvam co-founder Pratyush Kumar addressed these limitations on social media, stating: “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.” Kumar added that the company is actively seeking feedback from users during this initial phase as it scales.
Why it matters
Sarvam is part of a growing cohort of Indian startups building domestic alternatives to global AI platforms, a move that aligns with India’s broader strategic goal of gaining greater control over its AI infrastructure.