Impact of AI-Enabled Supply Chain Analytics on Operational Efficiency in Indian SMEs

Abstract

             In 2026, AI enabled supply chain analytics are transforming from experimental stage to more critical stage for Indian companies. Globalization has given rise to volatile demand patterns, infrastructural limitations and competitive challenges which are increasing pressure on management of supply chain in Indian SMEs. With intelligent automation and integration of data enterprise system, AI tools can help companies in route management, supply risk assessment and anomaly detection effectively. Research paper focuses on how AI enabled supply chain management analytics affects operations performance in Indian SMEs in various areas such as generative and Agentic AI method for decision making, robotic warehousing and waste reduction etc. This study has accepted the qualitative and explanatory research design to investigate the relationship of AI enabled supply chain analytics and operational efficiency in Indian small and medium enterprises. However, research concentrates on qualitative issues, financial and skill gaps, it also covers the limitations of digital infrastructure and data quality issues for SMEs. Government policies are also included in this paper to give proper insights for digital initiative taken for cloud-based analytics platforms for providing benefit to the Indian companies. AI technology and its contribution for the supply chain operations of Indian SMEs with sustainable growth in digital and data centric environment is elaborated.