India’s e-commerce sector is one of the fastest-growing markets globally, with projections showing a surge to over $350 billion by 2030. However, this explosive growth brings several challenges—language barriers, inconsistent product listings, data entry bottlenecks, and limited digital literacy among sellers in rural regions. Enter e-vikrAI, a groundbreaking AI tool developed under BharatGen, a government-backed initiative aimed at democratizing access to e-commerce technology.
Launched in October 2024, e-vikrAI has quickly gained attention as an enabler of digital commerce, especially for non-English-speaking sellers and small-scale entrepreneurs. Designed as a visual language model (VLM) and equipped with multilingual support, this AI-powered platform turns product images into optimized listings, suggests pricing, generates descriptions, and even offers audio feedback in local languages.
A Game-Changer for India’s Digital Sellers
At its core, e-vikrAI is about inclusion. India has over 120 million micro and small sellers, many of whom operate outside the formal retail system. Traditional e-commerce tools often alienate these vendors by assuming English literacy and technical competence.
e-vikrAI bridges this gap by allowing users to simply upload a photo of their product, and the AI handles the rest. It identifies the item, categorizes it, generates a product title and description, recommends a price, and even narrates the listing in the seller’s local language.
How e-vikrAI Works
e-vikrAI integrates several AI technologies:
- Computer Vision: Analyzes images to detect product type, size, color, and brand.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP): Converts visual input into coherent product descriptions.
- Machine Translation and TTS (Text-to-Speech): Delivers audio narrations in more than 12 Indian languages.
- Price Intelligence Module: Suggests optimal pricing based on market trends and geolocation.
This powerful combination makes e-vikrAI not just a listing tool but a business advisor in the palm of a vendor’s hand.
Accessibility and Language Inclusion
India’s linguistic diversity is immense—with 22 official languages and over 100 spoken dialects. Most e-commerce portals primarily operate in English or Hindi, creating barriers for millions.
e-vikrAI addresses this by offering localized interfaces and voice-based guidance in:
- Hindi
- Tamil
- Telugu
- Bengali
- Marathi
- Kannada
- Gujarati
- Malayalam
- Punjabi
- Urdu
- Odia
- Assamese
This multilingual approach allows first-time sellers from Tier II and Tier III cities to participate confidently in the digital economy.
Feature Highlights of e-vikrAI
Let’s explore the standout features of this transformative tool:
- Image-to-Listing Conversion: Just click a photo—no manual typing required.
- Speech-Enabled Input: Users can speak their commands instead of typing.
- Offline Mode: Enables use in low-connectivity areas with delayed sync.
- Voice-Based Navigation: Designed for sellers with limited reading skills.
- Dynamic Pricing Suggestions: Uses AI to benchmark prices in real time.
A Look at Platform Performance
The platform is currently in use by over 1.2 million small vendors in pilot markets across India. Feedback suggests high satisfaction, especially among female entrepreneurs and sellers in rural communities.
Here’s a comparison of e-vikrAI with traditional e-commerce listing tools:
| Feature | e-vikrAI | Traditional Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Language Support | 12+ local langs | 2–3 languages |
| Listing Time per Product | ~1.5 minutes | 7–10 minutes |
| Offline Functionality | Yes | Rare |
| Voice Guidance | Yes | No |
| Image Recognition for Listings | Yes | Manual input |
Source: BharatGen Implementation Report, 2025
Government and Private Collaboration
e-vikrAI was launched under BharatGen, a public-private partnership involving:
- Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY)
- National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
- Private AI labs like Sarvam AI and EkStep Foundation
This cooperative framework ensures transparency, scalability, and adaptability of the platform. BharatGen’s open-data commitment allows developers to build extensions and plug-ins on top of e-vikrAI’s core functionality.
Empowering Women and First-Time Entrepreneurs
One of e-vikrAI’s most significant impacts has been on women-led microenterprises. Many women who previously operated in informal markets are now listing products on platforms like Flipkart, ONDC, and Meesho using e-vikrAI.
A case study from The Hindu BusinessLine highlights Meena Kumari, a sari seller from Varanasi, who said:
“I had never used a smartphone for business before. With e-vikrAI, I just click a photo and speak in Hindi. The app does the rest.”
(The Hindu BusinessLine, 2025)
Bullet Points: Why e-vikrAI Matters
- Bridges the digital literacy gap across India
- Boosts participation in e-commerce for marginalized sellers
- Reduces time and cost of listing products
- Enhances quality and discoverability of listings
- Encourages local language use and cultural relevance
Ethical AI and Data Protection
e-vikrAI has implemented strong privacy protections. All images and inputs are anonymized and stored with consent. The tool avoids storing voice data unless explicitly permitted, and it does not use seller data for advertising purposes.
- Data Minimization: Only relevant metadata is retained.
- Consent-Based Storage: Sellers control what data is shared.
- Transparency Protocols: AI decisions (e.g., price suggestions) are explained in plain language.
According to Ravi Menon, data policy consultant at NASSCOM:
“e-vikrAI exemplifies responsible AI in the Global South. It respects user context, emphasizes inclusion, and promotes explainability.”
(NASSCOM Journal, 2025)
Training and Community Support
In partnership with local NGOs and skilling programs, BharatGen has trained over 100,000 users to operate e-vikrAI. Video tutorials, helplines, and regional ambassadors offer continued support.
Community Support Features:
- Regional training centers
- AI Helpdesk in 10 languages
- Video walkthroughs tailored for low-literacy users
- Integration with PMKVY (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana)
Future Roadmap
BharatGen has laid out an ambitious roadmap for e-vikrAI in the next two years:
- Integration with ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce)
- Expansion to Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka
- Launch of e-vikrAI Mini for feature phones
- Addition of QR-code-enabled instant listing
By 2026, the goal is to onboard 10 million new e-commerce sellers through AI assistance.
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Conclusion: A Step Toward Digital Bharat
e-vikrAI isn’t just an app—it’s a movement. It’s about making sure that a sari seller in Kanchipuram or a toy maker in Agra can access the same digital tools as a startup founder in Bengaluru. By leveraging AI for inclusion rather than exclusivity, e-vikrAI is showing the world how technology can be culturally rooted, economically empowering, and ethically built.
India’s AI journey is often framed around innovation hubs and global ambitions. But the real transformation is happening in the hands of everyday entrepreneurs—thanks to tools like e-vikrAI.
References
MENON, Ravi. Ethical AI in Emerging Markets: The Case of e-vikrAI. NASSCOM Journal, New Delhi, 2025. Available at: https://www.nasscom.in/publications/ethical-ai-india. Accessed on: 06 May 2025.
KUMARI, Meena. Digital Empowerment of Women Entrepreneurs in India. The Hindu BusinessLine, Chennai, 2025. Available at: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/sme/women-ai-commerce. Accessed on: 06 May 2025.
BHARATGEN. Implementation Report: e-vikrAI Pilot Phase. Ministry of Electronics and IT, Government of India, 2025. Available at: https://meity.gov.in/bharatgen/evikrai. Accessed on: 06 May 2025.
