INDIA AI GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES

NEWS

• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) released the India AI Governance Guidelines
• The document advocates a “hands-off” regulatory approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI), emphasizing innovation alongside responsibility.
• This is a revised version of the AI framework first shared for consultation in January 2024.

HIGHLIGHTS

Background and Leadership

• The new report was drafted by a panel formed in July 2024, headed by Prof. Balaraman Ravindran, IIT Madras.
• The earlier version was guided by Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay K. Sood.
• Officials, including Additional Secretary Abhishek Singh, described the guidelines as a “cornerstone” for India’s AI development and a global governance model.

Core Principles of AI Governance

The report identifies seven guiding principles for AI development in India:

• Trust and Safety
• People-centric approach
• Responsible Innovation
• Equity and Accountability
• Understandability of Large Language Models (LLMs)
• Resilience and Sustainability

These principles highlight the aim to balance innovation with ethical safeguards.

Key Recommendations

The guidelines propose six major recommendations:

• Expand AI infrastructure access using digital public infrastructure (DPI).
• Promote AI skill development and capacity building.
• Maintain flexible and adaptive regulatory frameworks.
• Address India-specific risks in AI deployment.
• Enhance transparency and accountability across the AI ecosystem.

Shift in Approach

• The earlier draft focused on risk minimization and was heavily influenced by NITI Aayog and OECD frameworks.
• The current version moves toward promoting innovation with light governance guardrails.

Future Outlook

• The report suggests that new AI laws may emerge later, depending on “emerging risks and capabilities.”
• IT Secretary S. Krishnan clarified that no immediate AI legislation is planned.
• The guidelines remain separate from amendments to the IT Rules, 2021.