NEW DELHI: The government on Sunday released India’s first comprehensive guidelines on artificial intelligence governance, opting for a light-touch, principle-driven framework instead of a new standalone law. The move comes ahead of the five-day AI Impact Summit 2026, which begins in the capital on Monday, where a “Delhi Declaration” on responsible AI is expected to be adopted.
The newly unveiled framework seeks to address concerns such as bias, misuse and lack of transparency in AI systems, while ensuring that innovation and adoption are not stifled. Officials described the approach as calibrated and forward-looking, aimed at positioning India as a key global voice in shaping responsible AI governance.
The guidelines outline how AI technologies should be developed and deployed across critical sectors including healthcare, education, agriculture, finance and public administration. Rather than imposing rigid compliance requirements, the framework is built around seven broad principles—referred to as “sutras”—intended to guide both policymakers and industry stakeholders.
These principles include trust as the foundation of AI systems; a “people-first” approach; innovation over excessive restraint; fairness and equity; accountability; “understandable by design”; and safety, resilience and sustainability. Collectively, they stress that AI must augment human decision-making, remain transparent in operation, avoid discriminatory outcomes and function within clear safety boundaries.
A central feature of the policy is its reliance on existing legal structures. Officials noted that many risks associated with AI are already covered under current laws, including information technology rules, data protection regulations and criminal statutes. Instead of enacting a separate AI law at this stage, the government has chosen to adopt a model of periodic review and targeted amendments as the technology evolves.
The framework also proposes the creation of dedicated national bodies to strengthen AI oversight. Among them is an AI governance group to coordinate policy efforts across ministries, a technology and policy expert committee to provide domain expertise, and an AI safety institute focused on testing standards, risk assessments and safety research.
The guidelines set out specific expectations for developers and deployers of AI systems. These include publishing transparency reports, clearly disclosing when content has been generated by AI, establishing grievance redressal mechanisms for individuals adversely affected by AI systems, and cooperating with regulatory authorities. Applications deemed high-risk—particularly those impacting public safety, fundamental rights or livelihoods—will be expected to incorporate enhanced safeguards and meaningful human oversight.
Officials said the framework reflects India’s view that AI should not remain concentrated in a handful of corporations or countries. Instead, it should be widely harnessed to address real-world challenges in areas such as agriculture productivity, healthcare access, financial inclusion and public service delivery, while maintaining public trust.
By balancing innovation with safeguards, the government aims to position India not only as a major adopter of AI technologies but also as a thought leader in shaping global norms around responsible and inclusive AI. The anticipated “Delhi Declaration” at the AI Impact Summit is expected to further articulate this vision, aligning technological advancement with the broader goal of achieving “Viksit Bharat 2047.”
