Centre Unveils AI Governance Framework for Safe, Ethical Technological Innovation

India’s Information Technology (IT) Act could soon undergo changes to classify artificial intelligence systems, as the government moves to build an India-specific AI risk assessment framework and a national database for AI incidents.
These steps are part of the country’s newly released AI governance guidelines, which will serve as the foundation for India’s national vision on AI ahead of the IndiaAI Impact Summit in February next year.

According to Ajay Sood, the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, the non-binding guidelines act as a “template” for how the country will handle AI governance in the coming years.

Why does India need to amend the IT Act for AI?

The IT Act, originally framed in 2000, doesn’t clearly define how AI systems fit into existing digital regulations. The guideline document, developed under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), notes that the current definition of an “intermediary” — which includes telecom providers, search engines, and even cyber cafés — is too broad to cover modern AI systems that can autonomously generate or modify data.

The proposed changes aim to clarify liability and responsibility across the AI value chain — from developers and deployers to platform owners. MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan stated that the government has been exploring ways to strengthen digital laws and will act when necessary.

What are the key features of the AI governance guidelines?

The guidelines highlight several major priorities:

1. AI Risk Assessment Framework – A model tailored for India that reflects real-world harm, especially for sensitive applications and vulnerable groups.
2. National AI Incident Database – A central system to record, analyze, and track AI-related incidents, with local databases feeding into a larger, federated network for better policymaking and national security.
3. AI Governance Group – A new inter-ministerial body proposed to coordinate AI policies and ensure consistent implementation.
4. AI Safety Institute – Recently established, it will guide the safe and trusted use of AI technologies across India.

The document also encourages regulatory sandboxes — controlled testing environments that allow innovative AI solutions to develop under limited legal immunity. Additionally, organizations deploying AI will be expected to provide accessible grievance redressal mechanisms under the Grievance Appellate Committee process.

How will India handle deepfakes and copyright issues?

To counter the rise of deepfakes, MeitY recently proposed draft amendments to the IT Rules. These would require users to declare when content is AI-generated or modified, and compel social media platforms to use technical measures for content verification.

The guidelines also recommend updating copyright laws to allow the large-scale training of AI models, ensuring data usage for model development aligns with legal and ethical standards. They further suggest reviewing how digital platforms are classified to accommodate AI-driven functionalities.

India’s global positioning in AI governance

The national guidelines were developed after reviewing policies in the United States, European Union, and China. The government hopes India’s framework will serve as a reference point for the Global South, where countries often lack dedicated resources to regulate AI.

A high-level advisory group, chaired by Ajay Sood, was set up in 2023 to study the challenges of AI. Later, a sub-committee led by Professor Balaraman Ravindran from IIT-Madras drafted the guidelines, incorporating over 2,500 submissions from government agencies, universities, think tanks, and industry experts.

According to Sood, India plans to showcase its approach at the upcoming IndiaAI Impact Summit 2025, marking a major milestone in the country’s journey toward responsible and inclusive AI governance.

What does this mean for India’s AI future?

In simple terms, India’s AI governance guidelines are the country’s first serious attempt to bridge innovation and accountability. By combining legal reforms, institutional oversight, and technical measures, the government aims to promote safe, ethical, and human-centric AI development.

If these recommendations translate into law, India could emerge as a global leader in AI regulation — setting a model for emerging economies that seek to harness AI’s potential without compromising public trust and safety.