“An MoU by Invest UP is a preliminary step before detailed due diligence and project evaluation gets done,” stated Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during the announcement of a groundbreaking partnership with Puch AI.
On March 24, 2026, the Uttar Pradesh government signed a ₹25,000 crore memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Puch AI, a Bengaluru-based startup founded just a year prior by Siddharth Bhatia and Arjit Jain. This initiative aims to position Uttar Pradesh as India’s first AI Pradesh, a bold ambition that has already attracted significant attention.
Puch AI, which primarily operates through WhatsApp and voice calls, has quickly gained traction, with over a million users each month. Notably, more than 60% of these users are experiencing artificial intelligence for the first time, highlighting the startup’s role in democratizing access to technology.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding the MoU, Adityanath emphasized that the agreement is non-binding and merely a preliminary step. “MoUs are non-binding on the State Government. Any further progress… is subject to detailed evaluation of the prospective investor’s proposal,” he reiterated, underscoring the cautious approach the government is taking.
The startup’s annual revenue stood at ₹42.9 lakh as of March 31, 2025, raising questions about its capacity to fulfill large-scale commitments. Critics have pointed out that Puch AI’s small team and limited infrastructure track record may pose challenges in executing the ambitious plans outlined in the MoU.
As the partnership unfolds, the exact nature of the projects to be pursued under this agreement remains unclear, leaving stakeholders eager for more information. Details remain unconfirmed, and the long-term viability of Puch AI in this endeavor is uncertain.
With the Uttar Pradesh government emphasizing a thorough evaluation of Puch AI’s proposals, the next steps in this partnership will be closely watched by both the tech community and the public.
As the landscape of artificial intelligence continues to evolve, the collaboration between Puch AI and Uttar Pradesh could serve as a significant case study in the intersection of technology and governance.
