Record STMT-WBCED65Voluntary

India AI Governance Guidelines Enabling Safe and Trusted AI Innovation

Framework Institutional policySouthern Asia · INproposed

The India AI Governance Guidelines provide a comprehensive, balanced framework aimed at promoting AI innovation and inclusive development while mitigating societal risks. Structured across four parts, the guidelines establish seven foundational sutras, detail recommendations across six pillars covering enablement, regulation, and oversight, set forth a multi-stage action plan, and offer practical guidance for industry and regulators. The document advocates a pro-innovation, techno-legal approach utilizing existing laws and Digital Public Infrastructure rather than creating a separate standalone AI statute.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of IndiaGovernment (executive) · IN

Lead issuer

Ministry of Electronics and Information TechnologyGovernment (executive) · IN

Co-issuer

Legal forceVoluntary

Under whose authorityInstitutional policy

Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

National governmentRegulatorsPublic sector bodiesCompaniesAI developers and providersAI deployers and usersResearchers and academics

This document is for policymakers, regulators, industry actors, AI developers, and researchers seeking to understand India's strategy for safe, trusted, and inclusive AI innovation.

Sectors

Cross-sectorPublic administrationTelecommunications and digital services

What the document contains

What's covered

The document covers a strategic national framework for artificial intelligence governance in India, addressing infrastructural enablement, capacity building, policy and regulation, risk mitigation, accountability, and institutional oversight. It outlines specific measures for data and compute access, digital public infrastructure integration, content authentication, copyright considerations, risk assessment, and incident reporting.

What's missing

The text does not prescribe a new dedicated overarching AI statute, nor does it contain binding legislative text or specific punitive monetary fines for non-compliance at this stage.

Key takeaways

India's AI governance framework prioritizes inclusive development, innovation, and trust, anchored by seven core sutras.
A separate standalone AI law is deemed unnecessary at this stage, as existing statutes combined with targeted amendments can adequately address current risks.
The framework integrates AI development with Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to ensure scalability, affordability, and local relevance.
An institutional architecture including the AI Governance Group (AIGG), Technology & Policy Expert Committee (TPEC), and AI Safety Institute (AISI) is proposed to oversee implementation.
A graded liability system and voluntary frameworks are encouraged to foster responsible innovation without imposing compliance-heavy burdens.

Principles it states

Trust is the FoundationPeople FirstInnovation over RestraintFairness & EquityAccountabilityUnderstandable by DesignSafety, Resilience & Sustainability

Outline

· Preface
· Foreword
· Introduction
· Executive Summary
· Part 1: Key Principles
· Part 2: Issues & Recommendations
· Part 3: Action Plan
· Part 4: Practical Guidelines for Industry & Regulators
· Glossary
· Annexures
· References

IssuedNot recorded

Length16,200 words

FormatNot recorded

Scopenational

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Accountability

4/5

Clear responsibility for AI outcomes

Adopt a graded liability system based on the function performed, level of risk, and whether due diligence was observed.

Part 2

screening score · 2026-10-23

Fairness

4/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

Promote inclusive development and avoid discrimination.

Part 1

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Dignity

3/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

Human-centric design, human oversight, and human empowerment.

Part 1

screening score · 2026-10-23

Privacy

4/5

Protection of personal data and private life

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act) which governs the collection and processing of all digital personal data in India

Part 2

screening score · 2026-10-23

Transparency

4/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

Provide disclosures and explanations that can be understood by the intended user and regulators.

Part 1

screening score · 2026-10-23

Enforcement

4/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

Applicable laws should be enforced, while guidelines can assist organisations in meeting their obligations

Part 2

screening score · 2026-10-23

Topics

ai_governance responsible_ai risk_mitigation digital_public_infrastructure ai_safety_institute