Key Points
- MoU will integrate BHASHINI translation into Assam government platforms and startup programmes
- Partnership targets Assamese and other local languages for AI-powered translation services
- BHASHINI currently powers over 800 government websites and processes 15 million daily requests
The Centre’s language technology division has signed an agreement with Assam to bring artificial intelligence-powered translation services to the state’s government platforms, startup programmes and digital services, expanding access for citizens who prefer to use Assamese and other local languages.
The Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD), which operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), signed the memorandum of understanding with the Assam Innovation and Startup Foundation (AISF) on Monday (22 June).
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The partnership aims to integrate BHASHINI’s translation tools — software that uses AI to convert text and speech between Indian languages — into official state platforms and services.
Under the agreement, Assam will become part of the BHASHINI Rajyam initiative, which helps state governments adopt multilingual digital services.
The partnership will focus on embedding translation capabilities into AISF’s programmes, enabling startups and entrepreneurs in the state to access resources and services in their preferred language.
What the partnership will deliver
DIBD will provide application programming interfaces (APIs) — standardised tools that allow different software systems to share data and functions — to integrate translation services into Assam’s official platforms.
These APIs enable real-time conversion of text and speech between languages, allowing a user to interact with a government service in Assamese while the underlying system operates in English or Hindi.
BHASHINI will also customise its AI models to capture regional dialects and linguistic variations specific to Assam. The state has significant populations speaking Assamese, Bodo, Bengali, Hindi and several tribal languages, creating a complex linguistic landscape that standard translation tools often fail to address adequately.
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AISF will identify which languages need priority support and coordinate with startups, research institutions and innovators to develop solutions tailored to local requirements.
The foundation will also support data collection efforts through Bhashadaan, a crowdsourcing programme that gathers linguistic data from volunteers to train AI translation models.
Assam’s startup ecosystem
A central aim of the partnership is to enable startups and entrepreneurs in Assam to build products that work in multiple Indian languages.
Currently, most technology products and services launch primarily in English and Hindi, limiting their reach among users who are more comfortable in regional languages.
By providing access to BHASHINI’s language technology stack — the collection of AI tools, APIs and datasets that power its translation services — the partnership allows Assam-based startups to integrate multilingual capabilities without building translation systems from scratch. This could reduce development costs and time for companies targeting users who prefer regional languages.
The agreement also establishes feedback loops between users in Assam and BHASHINI’s central team. When Assamese users interact with translated content, their corrections and preferences help improve the AI models, making translations more accurate over time.
BHASHINI’s current reach
BHASHINI, launched as a national initiative for AI-driven multilingual access, currently supports 36 Indian text languages and 23 Indian voice languages for translation services.
The platform processes more than 15 million translation requests daily and powers over 800 government websites across the country.
Amitabh Nag, CEO, Digital India BHASHINI Division, said the partnership aims to ensure language does not become a barrier to digital participation.
By the numbers
- 800+
- Government websites powered by BHASHINI
- 15 million
- Daily translation requests processed
- 36
- Indian text languages supported
He added that the collaboration would empower startups to build multilingual AI solutions addressing local needs while strengthening linguistic datasets through continuous feedback.
“Through this partnership with the Assam Innovation & Startup Foundation, we aim to empower startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs to build impactful multilingual AI solutions that address local needs and create real-world value,” said Nag.
The MoU allows both organisations to undertake joint activities in research, capacity building and promotion of language technology. However, specific timelines for integration, budget allocations and measurable targets were not disclosed in the announcement.
Your Questions, Answered
What is BHASHINI and what does it do?
BHASHINI is the Centre’s national initiative for AI-driven multilingual digital inclusion. It provides translation tools that convert text and speech between Indian languages, currently supporting 36 text languages and 23 voice languages. The platform processes over 15 million translation requests daily.
How will the MoU benefit Assam residents?
The partnership will integrate translation services into Assam’s government platforms, allowing citizens to access official services and information in Assamese and other local languages instead of only English or Hindi.
What does the partnership offer startups in Assam?
Startups can access BHASHINI’s language technology stack to build multilingual products without developing translation systems from scratch. This reduces development costs and enables products that work in regional languages.
Which languages will the partnership support?
The partnership will prioritise Assamese and other local languages spoken in the state, including Bodo and various tribal languages. AISF will identify specific language needs for implementation.