Introduction

Artificial Intelligence has evolved from an assistive tool to an autonomous decision-maker, influencing governance, economy, security, and social life. Recognizing both its potential and perils, the Government of India, through MeitY’s drafting committee (July 2025), released the India AI Governance Guidelines.It is  rooted in the vision of “AI for All”. The framework aims to foster inclusive growth, innovation, and ethical use of AI, ensuring that India’s AI journey is safe, transparent, and globally credible.

Why in the News

For the first time, India has articulated a unified, principle-based framework on AI governance, a techno-legal and institutional roadmap aligning AI with constitutional values and national priorities. It promotes voluntary frameworks over strict regulation marking a shift from restraint to responsible innovation.

What are the Core Principles Guiding India’s AI Governance?

1. Seven Sutras: Trust, People First, Innovation over Restraint, Fairness & Equity, Accountability, Understandable by Design, Safety, Resilience & Sustainability. These are adapted from the RBI’s FREE-AI Committee report and designed to be sector-neutral and technology-agnostic.
2. Trust as Foundation: Builds confidence in AI systems by ensuring transparency, safety, and ethical use.
3. People First: Emphasizes human oversight and empowerment, preventing machine dominance.
4. Innovation over Restraint: Encourages experimentation with accountability, not prohibition.
5. Fairness & Equity: Prevents algorithmic discrimination and digital exclusion.

How Does the Framework Promote AI Development and Infrastructure?

1. Compute Expansion: Over 38,000 GPUs made available to startups and researchers at subsidized rates.
2. AIKosh Data Platform: Houses 1,500 datasets and 217 models from 20 sectors, ensuring data accessibility with privacy.
3. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Combines Aadhaar, UPI, and Bhashini for scalable, low-cost AI deployment.
4. MSME Enablement: AI-linked loans via SIDBI & Mudra, tax rebates for certified AI adoption, and starter packs for sectors like textiles and logistics.

How Does India Address Risk and Regulation in AI?

1. Balanced Regulation: No separate AI law yet existing laws (IT Act, DPDP Act, Copyright Act, etc.) govern AI harms.
2. Key Risk Areas: Deepfakes, data poisoning, discrimination, loss of control, national security threats.
3. India-specific Risk Framework: Classifies harms empirically and promotes voluntary, proportionate compliance.
4. Content Authentication: Suggests watermarking and provenance tools aligned with global C2PA standards.

How Will Institutions Enforce AI Safety and Accountability?

1. AI Governance Group (AIGG): Apex inter-ministerial body chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser, coordinating AI policy across ministries.
2. Technology & Policy Expert Committee (TPEC): Offers domain expertise on law, data, security, and governance.
3. AI Safety Institute (AISI): Anchors technical safety, risk research, and international collaborations like the Global Network of AI Safety Institutes.
4. Accountability Measures:
   • Graded Liability System based on role and risk.
   • Transparency Reports, Grievance Redressal Systems, Peer Monitoring, and Self-certifications for compliance.

What is India’s Global and Long-term Vision for AI Governance?

1. Foresight & Diplomacy: Positions India as a voice of the Global South in AI governance debates (G20, UN, OECD).
2. AI Incident Reporting System: Centralised database tracking AI harms for national security and regulatory learning.
3. Techno-Legal Architecture: Concepts like DEPA for AI Training embed consent and privacy by design.
4. Action Plan:
   • Short-term: Build institutions and awareness.
   • Medium-term: Develop standards, risk frameworks, and legal clarity.
   • Long-term: Evolve global leadership and adaptive legal frameworks.

Conclusion

India’s AI Governance Guidelines represent a paradigm shift from regulation to enablement, balancing innovation with public trust. By rooting governance in human values, institutional cooperation, and digital infrastructure, India positions itself as a responsible AI power, one that prioritizes inclusivity, transparency, and resilience. The framework sets a precedent for the Global South, reflecting India’s vision of “AI for All, AI for Good”.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2023] e-governance, as a critical tool of governance, has ushered in effectiveness, transparency and accountability in governments. What inadequacies hamper the enhancement of these features?

Linkage: The AI Governance Guidelines integrate e-governance and AI to improve transparency, accountability, and citizen-centricity. This addresses the same governance challenges this question targets.

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