Why in news?

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) released the India AI Governance Guidelines recently, detailing how Artificial Intelligence will be regulated and promoted in the country.

The document outlines India’s framework for responsible AI use across sectors. Its release is part of the government’s broader preparations for the AI Impact Summit 2026, which India will host in New Delhi.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Purpose of the AI Governance Guidelines
• Key Recommendations of India’s AI Governance Guidelines
• Alignment of AI Guidelines with Government Plans

Purpose of the AI Governance Guidelines

• The new AI Governance Guidelines aim to create a clear and consistent framework for regulating Artificial Intelligence in India, now the second-largest user of tools like ChatGPT after the U.S.
• Their goal is to use AI for inclusive growth and global competitiveness while managing risks to individuals and society.
• The document aligns India with international efforts that focus on identifying AI risks, defining accountability, and promoting safety research.
• The guidelines were finalised by a MeitY committee led by Prof. Balaraman Ravindran of IIT Madras’ Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI), following earlier drafts by a government advisory group.

Key Recommendations of India’s AI Governance Guidelines

• Guiding Principles - The guidelines are based on values like people-centricity, fairness, accountability, and transparency in AI systems. They aim to ensure AI serves citizens safely and responsibly.
• Coordination Across Government Bodies - A new AI Governance Group is proposed to connect ministries, regulators, and standard-setting agencies. This group will regularly review laws, suggest reforms, issue standards, and promote access to AI safety tools.
• Role of Sectoral Regulators - The framework recommends active participation from agencies such as the RBI (for finance), NITI Aayog, and the Bureau of Indian Standards to align industry-specific AI practices with national policy.
• Infrastructure and Accessibility - Unlike many global frameworks, India’s plan stresses AI infrastructure development — urging states to expand data access, computing resources, and promote AI adoption.
• Focus on Indian Context - The guidelines call for: Legal updates on copyright and AI-generated content; Building AI models for Indian languages using locally relevant datasets to ensure cultural inclusiveness and diversity in AI applications.
• Private Sector Responsibilities
  • Companies are advised to:
    • Follow Indian laws and voluntary AI frameworks.
    • Publish transparency reports.
    • Provide grievance redress systems.
    • Use techno-legal solutions to manage AI-related risks.
  • The AI Safety Institute (AISI), under the IndiaAI Mission, will guide safety and compliance efforts.

Alignment of AI Guidelines with Government Plans

• The government continues to take a light-touch approach to regulating AI, except in the case of deepfakes.
• The guidelines stress “content authentication”, and MeitY has proposed rules requiring social media platforms to label AI-generated images and videos.
• Several recommendations align with existing government efforts:
  • The IndiaAI Mission is already buying GPUs to create a shared computing facility for startups and researchers.
  • The plan to integrate AI with Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), like Aadhaar, is underway — with UIDAI forming a committee to explore AI-based improvements.
• While the framework guides AI governance, the government will act swiftly if urgent regulation is needed, even by enacting a stricter law.