MeitY Unveils AI Governance Guidelines, Adopts Balanced Framework for Responsible AI Use

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on November 5 launched India’s first AI Governance Guidelines, setting out a national framework for ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence. The guidelines aim to balance innovation with accountability and build upon existing legal frameworks rather than introducing new legislation.

The document has been developed under the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) and the IndiaAI Mission, marking India’s most comprehensive step yet toward structured AI oversight.

Human-Centric, Innovation-First Approach

At the launch, IT Secretary S Krishnan said the government’s focus is to ensure that AI development remains human-centric while promoting innovation and social impact.

“India has consciously chosen not to lead with regulation but to encourage innovation while studying global approaches,” Krishnan stated. “Wherever possible, we will rely on existing laws rather than rush into new legislation.”

The framework emphasizes key principles such as fairness, transparency, safety, and proportional accountability, ensuring that AI technologies are developed and deployed responsibly.

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Layered Governance and Institutional Design

The guidelines propose a layered architecture for AI governance that spans infrastructure, policy, accountability, and capacity building. To ensure coordination and oversight, MeitY plans to establish new institutions, including:

• AI Governance Group (AIGG) – for inter-ministerial coordination

• Technology & Policy Expert Committee (TPEC) – for technical and policy guidance

• AI Safety Institute (AISI) – for setting safety standards and conducting risk assessments

• Sectoral regulators – for domain-specific oversight

MeitY said the framework was developed through a multi-stakeholder consultation, incorporating over 2,500 public comments from industry, academia, and civil society.

Phased Implementation Roadmap

The ministry outlined a phased approach for implementation:

• Short term: Set up institutional bodies, create a risk classification framework, and launch awareness programs.

• Medium term: Operationalize an AI Incident Reporting System, roll out regulatory sandboxes, and link governance with Digital Public Infrastructure.

• Long term: Introduce sectoral rules and strengthen accountability mechanisms as institutional capacity develops.

Accountability, Transparency, and Risk Mitigation

The framework introduces a graded accountability model across the AI ecosystem. Developers and deployers are encouraged to publish transparency reports, establish grievance redressal systems, and adopt compliance-by-design mechanisms.

It also proposes voluntary red-teaming and human oversight for high-risk AI applications, alongside the creation of an India-specific risk taxonomy.

However, disclosure and reporting remain voluntary, signaling a light-touch regulatory approach that depends on self-regulation and coordination among existing regulators.

India’s Middle Path in Global AI Governance

The AI Governance Guidelines are part of the IndiaAI Mission, which seeks to promote AI use across key sectors like agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, and natural resources.

Krishnan emphasized that India’s focus is on innovation-led growth, ensuring AI benefits all citizens while maintaining safety and accountability.

While the framework avoids immediate legislation, it positions India between the European Union’s prescriptive AI Act and the United States’ market-driven model. Its success, experts note, will depend on how effectively new institutions like the AI Safety Institute operationalize oversight and transparency.

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