New Delhi: The expo at the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026 has been extended by one day and will now remain open until Saturday, February 21, IT Secretary S. Krishnan announced at a press conference on Wednesday.
The extension follows sustained public interest and strong attendance during the first three days of the summit. Officials said the additional day would allow students and working professionals who were unable to attend during weekdays to visit the expo under more flexible security arrangements after the conclusion of multilateral events at the venue.
Attendance and Security Arrangements
The summit, currently underway in New Delhi, has seen significant footfall since its opening. On Monday, February 16, large sections of the venue were closed to public access due to official engagements, causing inconvenience to some attendees.
Three days into the event, attendance levels remain high, prompting the organisers to extend the expo. It remains unclear whether all exhibitors will be able to continue participation through Saturday.
The expo will remain closed on Thursday, February 19, due to a plenary session attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other world leaders. It will reopen the following day.
More than 400 exhibitors — including startups, large corporations, government entities and research institutions — have set up booths at the summit.
Guinness World Records Recognition
Meanwhile, the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026 has entered the Guinness World Records for recording the highest number of student pledges for the responsible use of artificial intelligence within a 24-hour period.
Guinness World Records Adjudicator Pravin Patel announced that a total of 2,50,946 pledges were received during the summit, significantly exceeding the initial target of 5,000.
Union Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw attributed the initiative to the Prime Minister’s vision of promoting responsible AI use among students. He stated that outreach efforts were made to schools and colleges to encourage participation in the pledge campaign.
Summit Context
The IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026 has brought together policymakers, technology leaders, startups and researchers to discuss artificial intelligence development, governance and infrastructure.
In addition to investment announcements and policy discussions, organisers have emphasised awareness and responsible AI usage as key themes. The pledge initiative reflects broader efforts to promote ethical AI practices, particularly among young users and future professionals.
Officials have indicated that high public engagement at the summit demonstrates growing interest in artificial intelligence across sectors.
