New Delhi. In a significant move signaling India’s long-term vision for Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has declared that innovation—not regulation—is the top priority for now.
Speaking at the launch of the India AI Governance Guidelines Report, IT Secretary S. Krishnan emphasized that the government aims to maximize public benefits through AI-driven innovation before considering any restrictive laws. “At this moment, our focus is on enabling innovation. Regulation will come only when it becomes essential,” he said.
Krishnan added that the government’s stance aligns with a human-centric approach to AI, ensuring that technological progress benefits citizens first. “We want to promote innovation responsibly, protecting people from potential harm while harnessing AI’s transformative power,” he noted.
India AI Governance Guidelines: Seven Core Principles
The India AI Governance Guidelines, developed by a government-appointed subcommittee, propose seven foundational principles to guide AI deployment and oversight in the country:
- Trust and Transparency
- People-First Approach
- Innovation Over Restraint
- Fairness and Equity
- Accountability and Responsibility
- Clear Disclosure and Explanation for Users and Regulators
- Safety, Resilience, and Sustainability
These principles reflect the government’s commitment to responsible AI governance while keeping innovation at the forefront.
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Panel Recommendations for AI Safety and Governance
The expert panel, led by Professor B. Ravindran of IIT Madras, proposed both short-term and long-term measures to strengthen AI governance in India.
Short-Term Recommendations:
- Establishing dedicated AI governance institutions
- Developing an India-specific AI framework
- Amending existing laws to address AI-specific challenges
- Creating AI safety standards and common guidelines
- Introducing AI incident reporting systems
- Launching regulatory sandboxes to test AI applications in controlled environments
Long-Term Vision:
The panel also emphasized the need to continuously expand AI infrastructure, update regulatory frameworks, and draft new laws as the technology evolves and new risks emerge.
Government’s Collaborative Approach
Principal Scientific Advisor Ajay Sood highlighted the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration to balance innovation and safety. He stated, “AI’s future depends on all ministries and industries working together to ensure both innovation and ethical safeguards.”
Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and IT, noted that the recommendations were shaped by extensive public consultation. “We received and analyzed more than 650 public comments before finalizing the report. This ensures the framework is inclusive and forward-looking,” he explained.
India’s AI Vision: Empowering the Future Responsibly
The government’s decision to delay strict regulation underscores India’s pro-innovation stance in the global AI landscape. By prioritizing research, responsible experimentation, and ethical frameworks, India aims to become a global leader in AI development that is safe, transparent, and people-oriented.
The India AI Governance Guidelines Report marks a crucial step toward building an ecosystem where technological progress aligns with social and ethical responsibility—a balance that could define the future of AI in India and beyond.
India’s approach to AI governance reflects a balanced vision—fostering innovation today while preparing for regulation tomorrow. With a strong emphasis on human values, fairness, and safety, the government’s AI roadmap sets the stage for sustainable and inclusive technological growth.
