The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance Framework, outlining key principles and recommendations to guide India’s AI policy development. The framework was formally unveiled by Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, along with other senior officials. It emphasises the creation of new regulatory bodies, amendments to existing laws, and stronger institutional mechanisms to ensure a balanced and accountable approach to AI governance.
The 68-page report highlights the core principles of India’s AI strategy, focusing on respect for human rights, non-discrimination, safety, transparency, and fairness. The framework aims to build AI systems that are trustworthy, inclusive, and beneficial to all, particularly to communities that are currently underserved.
Instead of imposing broad restrictions, the framework follows a risk-based approach where the level of oversight depends on the potential harm and impact of the AI system. The report proposes a phased model for implementation, starting with immediate voluntary practices and progressing toward structured regulation.
In the short term, organisations deploying AI in India are encouraged to establish internal safety mechanisms. These include conducting risk assessments, documenting data sources, checking for bias, and performing safety tests before releasing AI models. The guidelines also stress clear communication about AI capabilities and the establishment of grievance redress and incident reporting systems.
Over the next few years, MeitY envisions a coordinated oversight model involving ministries, regulators, and public institutions. A central governance mechanism will ensure uniformity across sectors. For high-risk areas such as healthcare, finance, and law enforcement, the framework recommends customised compliance and monitoring structures.
In the long term, the focus will shift from voluntary adoption to mandatory regulation for high-risk AI systems. This includes continuous real-world monitoring supported by a national AI incident database for improved transparency and accountability. India’s AI framework also proposes research and innovation sandboxes and collaboration with global partners to align with international standards for ethical AI.
A key proposal is the creation of an AI Governance Group (AIGG) to serve as the central body for coordinating AI policies across the government. It will work with sectoral regulators, including the Technology & Policy Expert Committee (TPEC) and the AI Safety Institute (AISI), to develop sector-specific guidelines.
The framework also highlights the need to strengthen India’s AI capabilities through improved infrastructure, access to high-performance computing, and the creation of diverse and high-quality datasets to support locally relevant AI solutions.
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