India’s upcoming artificial intelligence governance framework is expected to prioritize a technical secretariat housed within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) as a coordinating and advisory body, rather than establishing a separate statutory regulator for AI.
The proposed secretariat will develop standards, metrics, protocols, and guidelines to ensure AI safety, trustworthiness, and cross-sector coordination. It will serve as a central point connecting stakeholders, including MeitY, sectoral regulators such as RBI, SEBI, and TRAI, NITI Aayog, and industry representatives. While it will not have enforcement powers like a traditional regulator, the secretariat will manage an AI incident repository, coordinate policies, support inter-agency reporting, and focus on public safety and risk assessment.
The framework adopts an activity-based regulatory approach, with existing sectoral regulators overseeing AI in their respective domains, rather than creating a single authority for all AI-related matters. This approach aims to prevent fragmented regulation that could slow innovation or create inconsistent standards. By maintaining a central secretariat, the government intends to ensure holistic cross-sector alignment, monitor technology trends, assess risks, and protect consumers.
Guiding principles, incident reporting, and a whole-of-government strategy are central to the framework. Regulatory enforcement will be applied only for high-risk AI applications or safety issues, which may be legislated over time.
MeitY has announced that the official framework is expected before the end of September 2025. The implementation will follow a phased roadmap over 100 days, 12 months, and 24 months, allowing for rapid maturation and sectoral adaptation. Over time, the secretariat may evolve into a permanent advisory node within the larger IndiaAI Mission, supporting issues like transparency in AI-generated content, labeling, and alignment with global standards such as ISO 42001 and NIST AI RMF.
India’s approach reflects a shift from rigid regulation to adaptable governance, balancing innovation with ethical safeguards and public safety.
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