India AI Impact Summit 2026: Organizers Issue Urgent Warning Over Registration Scams

NEW DELHI, February 11, 2026 – As India prepares to host its landmark India AI Impact Summit 2026 next week, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a critical advisory regarding a surge in fraudulent activities. Organizers are warning potential attendees, speakers, and startups to be wary of “bad actors” attempting to charge illicit fees for registration and participation.

Zero-Fee Policy: “Don’t Pay to Participate”

The India AI Mission, the primary body under MeitY coordinating the event, clarified in an official statement that the summit is entirely free for all participants.

“This is an official alert… No fee is charged for registration, participation, or speaking opportunities. Any communication seeking money is fake and should be reported immediately,” the team posted via its verified social media channels.

The warning comes as the summit has already seen over 35,000 registrations from 100+ countries. Scammers have reportedly been targeting these enthusiasts through phishing emails and unauthorized websites, claiming that a “premium fee” or “processing charge” is required to secure a seat or a speaking slot.

What We Know About the Summit

Scheduled to take place from February 16 to February 20, 2026, at the iconic Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the event is set to be the largest AI gathering ever hosted in the Global South.

The summit will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is expected to feature a “who’s who” of the tech world. Rumored and confirmed attendees include:

• Sundar Pichai (Google)
• Sam Altman (OpenAI)
• Jensen Huang (NVIDIA)
• Bill Gates (Gates Foundation)

The five-day program is structured around three foundational pillars or “Sutras”—People, Planet, and Progress—focusing on how AI can be democratized for social good rather than just commercial gain.

How to Stay Safe

To ensure a secure experience, organizers have urged the public to follow these guidelines:

1. Use Official Channels Only: Only register via the official portal at impact.indiaai.gov.in.
2. Verify Communications: Authentic updates will only come from @indiaai.gov.in or @meity.gov.in email addresses.
3. Report Suspicious Activity: Any requests for bank transfers, UPI payments, or credit card details for “entry tickets” should be reported to the cybercrime cell and the summit’s official helpdesk.

A Massive Scale Event

Beyond the policy discussions, the India AI Impact Expo will run alongside the summit, featuring over 400 exhibitors across 70,000 square meters. With an expected footfall of over 1.5 lakh visitors, the government is taking no chances with security—both digital and physical.

As the city of New Delhi dresses up for the occasion, the message from the organizers is clear: The future of AI in India is open and inclusive—and it definitely doesn’t come with a hidden price tag.