India AI Governance Guidelines Introduced By MeitY To Ensure Secure And Inclusive AI Usage

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has unveiled the India AI Governance Guidelines through the IndiaAI Mission. These guidelines aim to ensure the secure, inclusive, and accountable use of AI across various sectors. Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, introduced these guidelines alongside key figures from MeitY and IIT Madras.

The guidelines were launched in anticipation of the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, highlighting India's dedication to responsible AI governance. The framework is designed to foster innovation while safeguarding individuals and society from potential risks. It includes seven guiding principles that focus on ethical AI practices and recommendations across six pillars covering governance and operational standards.

Key Elements of the Framework

The framework provides a phased action plan for short-term, medium-term, and long-term implementation. It offers practical guidance for industry stakeholders, developers, and regulators to maintain transparency and accountability in AI systems. The principle of "Do No Harm" is central to this framework, aiming to create controlled innovation spaces with risk mitigation strategies.

These guidelines emphasize making AI accessible, inclusive, and trustworthy. They support developing a robust ecosystem that promotes safe and responsible innovation across India while inspiring international collaboration. The document serves as a reference for policymakers, researchers, and industry professionals to encourage safe AI adoption both nationally and globally.

Committee Members

A high-level committee chaired by Prof. Balaraman Ravindran from IIT Madras drafted the document. Members include Shri Abhishek Singh, Ms. Debjani Ghosh from NITI Aayog, Dr. Kalika Bali from Microsoft Research India, Mr. Rahul Matthan from Trilegal, Mr. Amlan Mohanty from NITI Aayog, Mr. Sharad Sharma from iSPIRT Foundation, Ms. Kavita Bhatia, Mr. Abhishek Aggarwal from MeitY, Mr. Avinash Agarwal from DoT, and Ms. Shreeppriya Gopalakrishnan from IndiaAI.

The launch event also celebrated winners of the IndiaAI Hackathon for Mineral Targeting organized with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Ministry of Mines:

The Upcoming Summit

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is scheduled for February 19-20 in New Delhi. This event will bring together global leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and researchers to explore AI's role in advancing People, Planet, and Progress.

"Our focus remains on leveraging existing legislation wherever possible," stated Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary at MeitY. "At the heart of it all is human centricity," he added, emphasizing that AI should serve humanity by improving lives while addressing potential harms.