The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), through its IndiaAI Mission, has released the India AI Governance Guidelines, a comprehensive framework designed to promote safe, inclusive, and responsible use of artificial intelligence across sectors. This initiative reflects India’s growing commitment to harnessing AI’s potential while ensuring accountability, transparency, and ethical use.

Introduction and Launch

The new AI Governance Guidelines were formally introduced by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, in the presence of senior officials including Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY; Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY and CEO, IndiaAI Mission; Ms. Kavita Bhatia, Scientist ‘G’ and COO, IndiaAI Mission; and Prof. B. Ravindran from IIT Madras.

@pib

The event also saw participation from representatives of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, including Dr. Preeti Banzal and Dr. Parvinder Maini. The timing of the release, just ahead of the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, signals India’s strategic focus on shaping a globally recognized framework for responsible AI governance.

Objectives and Vision

The India AI Governance Guidelines have been created to establish a clear and actionable framework for the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies. The vision behind the framework is to enable innovation and growth while protecting individuals and communities from potential harm caused by unchecked AI deployment.

The document emphasizes accountability, transparency, inclusivity, and safety, ensuring that the benefits of AI reach all sections of society. It also highlights India’s broader ambition to become a global leader in responsible AI research, innovation, and deployment.

Key Principles of the Framework

The India AI Governance Guidelines are built upon a series of foundational principles and practical recommendations.

Seven Guiding Sutras: These principles form the ethical backbone of the framework, focusing on fairness, safety, explainability, inclusivity, accountability, and data integrity.

Six Governance Pillars: These cover the operational and regulatory aspects of AI, including ethics, policy coordination, capacity building, transparency, and continuous monitoring of AI systems.

Three-Phase Implementation Plan: The document provides a structured roadmap with short-, medium-, and long-term goals to gradually establish a strong AI governance structure.

The guidelines follow the principle of “Do No Harm”, encouraging the creation of controlled innovation spaces where experimentation can coexist with safety measures and ethical oversight.

Expert Committee and Contributors

The framework was developed by a high-level expert committee chaired by Prof. Balaraman Ravindran from IIT Madras. The committee included key members from government, academia, and the private sector, bringing together a wide range of expertise.

Notable members include Shri Abhishek Singh (MeitY), Ms. Debjani Ghosh (NITI Aayog), Dr. Kalika Bali (Microsoft Research India), Mr. Rahul Matthan (Trilegal), Mr. Amlan Mohanty (NITI Aayog), Mr. Sharad Sharma (iSPIRT Foundation), Ms. Kavita Bhatia (MeitY), Mr. Abhishek Aggarwal (MeitY), Mr. Avinash Agarwal (Department of Telecommunications), and Ms. Shreeppriya Gopalakrishnan (IndiaAI).

Their combined efforts have resulted in a forward-looking policy document designed to serve as a reference for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers. The framework aims to guide both public and private organizations in developing and deploying AI systems responsibly.

IndiaAI Hackathon for Mineral Targeting

Alongside the launch of the AI guidelines, the Ministry also recognized winners of the IndiaAI Hackathon for Mineral Targeting, organized in partnership with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the Ministry of Mines.

The hackathon showcased innovative AI-driven solutions for mineral exploration and sustainability. The winning teams were recognized for developing advanced AI models that support resource mapping and efficient mining practices, highlighting the transformative role of AI in natural resource management.

India–AI Impact Summit 2026

The upcoming India–AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for 19–20 February in New Delhi, will bring together international experts, policymakers, and researchers to discuss how AI can accelerate progress across key areas — People, Planet, and Prosperity.

The summit is expected to serve as a major platform for advancing conversations on AI ethics, innovation policy, and global collaboration. It will also demonstrate India’s leadership in fostering safe and beneficial AI for the world.

Conclusion

In his closing remarks, Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, emphasized that human-centricity remains the cornerstone of India’s AI strategy.

He stated that while India will leverage existing legal frameworks to regulate AI, the ultimate goal is to ensure that these technologies are designed to improve human life, reduce risks, and maintain public trust.

The India AI Governance Guidelines represent a crucial step in building an AI-ready ecosystem that prioritizes ethical innovation. By balancing rapid technological progress with responsible oversight, India is setting a strong global example of how AI can be both powerful and principled.

Follow Before You Take on:

Stay informed, Stay Connected!

The post India Releases Comprehensive AI Governance Guidelines Under MeitY to Promote Safe, Ethical, and Responsible Artificial Intelligence appeared first on Before You Take.