India's scale, socio-economic diversity and digital ambitions create both exceptional opportunities and distinctive challenges for AI adoption. AI in India, therefore, carries with it both peril and possibility; it has the potential to deepen inequality and risk, as well as serve as an unprecedented engine of inclusion and innovation. In 2023, the Government of India took cognizance of the rapidly evolving AI landscape in the country and committed to a proportional, future-focused, and adaptive governance framework to respond to its dynamic needs.

In pursuit of this vision, an Advisory Group was constituted under the chairmanship of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA), which tasked a Subcommittee with providing actionable recommendations for AI governance in India. After extensive deliberations, the Subcommittee released a report on AI Governance Guidelines Development that highlighted the importance of a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to enforce compliance and ensure effective governance.

Public consultation on the report generated enthusiastic response, with over 2,500 submissions received from government bodies, academic institutions, think tanks, industry associations, private sector organizations, and individual stakeholders. The feedback ranged from overarching principles to detailed suggestions on specific regulatory features and implementation mechanisms.

Subsequently, a Drafting Committee was constituted to develop India’s new AI governance framework through a robust engagement with public feedback, legal precedents, existing literature and international practice. Led by Professor Balaraman Ravindran (Chairman), it comprised policy and legal experts such as Abhishek Singh, Debjani Ghosh, Kalika Bali, Rahul Matthan, Amlan Mohanty (Lead Writer), Sharad Sharma, Kavita Bhatia, Abhishek Aggarwal, Avinash Agarwal and Shreeppriya Gopalakrishnan (Convenor).

India’s newly drafted AI Governance Guidelines are now being launched in the public domain with a dual purpose: to maximise the developmental and economic gains from AI by fostering innovation and adoption at scale, and to mitigate associated risks in a manner that safeguards individuals, protects societal interests, and upholds democratic values. 

To this end, they provide a framework for the development and deployment of safe, trustworthy, responsible, inclusive and accountable AI systems, such that cutting-edge AI can be harnessed in concert with other transformative technologies to anchor the long-term growth, resilience and sustainability of India’s digital ecosystem.

A Structured Framework

The India AI Governance Guidelines are structured into four key parts that together provide a holistic approach to responsible and inclusive AI governance.

Part 1 - Key Principles

Lays down foundational principles such as fairness, accountability, safety, and inclusivity to ensure that AI systems remain human-centric and trustworthy.

Part 2 - Key Recommendations

Outlines actionable measures across enablement, regulation, and oversight, covering areas such as infrastructure, risk management, accountability, and the establishment of institutional mechanisms including the AI Governance Group and the AI Safety Institute.

Part 3 - Action Plan

Sets out short, medium, and long-term actions for implementing the framework. These include initiatives for capacity building, risk classification, voluntary commitments, and refinement of legal and regulatory measures as technologies evolve.

Part 4 - Practical Guidelines

Provides sector-specific guidance for government, industry, and regulators to encourage responsible AI practices, promote self-regulation, and ensure transparent and proportionate oversight.

Scope and Core Focus Areas

The guidelines comprehensively address critical dimensions of AI governance, including data management, algorithmic transparency, risk classification, responsible use of generative AI, safety and reliability testing, and grievance redressal. They emphasize the importance of human oversight, capacity-building, and standard-setting to ensure that AI systems are trustworthy and aligned with national priorities.

Furthermore, the framework underscores the need for continuous collaboration among stakeholders such as government, academia, industry, and civil society to create a robust and inclusive AI ecosystem. It seeks to promote innovation that benefits all sections of society, while maintaining strong safeguards to protect citizens’ rights and uphold ethical standards.

Towards a Responsible and Inclusive AI Future

The launch of the India AI Governance Guidelines marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to develop a responsible and future-ready AI ecosystem. It reaffirms India’s commitment to advancing technology for public good and ensuring that the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence contributes to inclusive, sustainable, and equitable growth.

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