Lokesh seeks Sberbank’s GigaChat AI and voice-recognition tools to secure UPI

Key points

• IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh held discussions with Albert Yefimov, Senior Vice-President of Sberbank, one of Russia’s leading financial and technology institutions, in Moscow on Wednesday (June 3, 2026).
• In a post on X, Mr. Lokesh said he had asked Sberbank to extend its GigaChat large language model (LLM) to the banking, public administration and retail sectors in India.
• He also sought the bank’s technical help to strengthen the security of the UPI network through advanced voice recognition and biometric anti-fraud systems, and asked it to offer structured credit to pharmaceutical and agricultural exporters in Andhra Pradesh.
• According to an official release, the meeting was an opportunity to understand Russia’s progress in sovereign artificial intelligence, digital platforms, advanced computing and technology-led innovations.
• The discussions covered emerging areas including generative AI, digital public infrastructure, cybersecurity, fintech, quantum computing, workforce skilling and technology applications in public services.