The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), through the IndiaAI Mission, has published the India AI Governance Guidelines, providing a structured approach for the secure, inclusive, and accountable deployment of AI across industries.
The guidelines were formally introduced by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, alongside Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY; Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY, CEO IndiaAI Mission, DG NIC; Ms. Kavita Bhatia, Scientist ‘G’ & GC, MeitY & COO IndiaAI Mission; and Prof. B. Ravindran, IIT Madras. The event also included Dr. Preeti Banzal and Dr. Parvinder Maini from the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser.
The launch comes ahead of the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, underscoring India’s commitment to advancing responsible AI governance.
Key Elements of the India AI Framework
The guidelines outline a clear framework to encourage innovation while protecting individuals and society from potential risks. Key components include:
- Seven guiding principles (Sutras) emphasizing ethical AI practices.
- Recommendations across six pillars covering governance and operational standards.
- A phased action plan for short-term, medium-term, and long-term implementation.
- Practical guidance for industry stakeholders, developers, and regulators to maintain transparency and accountability in AI systems.
The framework centers on the principle of “Do No Harm”, aiming to create controlled innovation spaces and risk mitigation strategies within an adaptable system. The guidelines emphasize making AI accessible, inclusive, and trustworthy, supporting the development of a robust ecosystem that promotes safe and responsible innovation across India and inspires collaboration internationally.
Committee Members
The document was drafted by a high-level committee chaired by Prof. Balaraman Ravindran, IIT Madras. Members include Shri Abhishek Singh, 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, Mr. Abhishek Aggarwal (MeitY), Mr. Avinash Agarwal (DoT), and Ms. Shreeppriya Gopalakrishnan (IndiaAI).
These guidelines are intended as a reference for policymakers, researchers, and industry professionals to promote safe, responsible, and inclusive AI adoption both nationally and internationally.
IndiaAI Hackathon for Mineral Targeting
The launch also recognized winners of the IndiaAI Hackathon for Mineral Targeting, organized with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Ministry of Mines:
- First Prize (₹10 lakh): CricSM AI – Critical and strategic mineral mapping with AI by Prof. Partha Pratim Mandal, Dinesh Munda, Litan Dutta, Tanmay Singh, Sai Satyam Jena, and Dr. Pradeep Kumar Shukla
- Second Prize (₹7 lakh): Knowledge and Data-Driven Mineral Targeting Approach by Soumya Mitra, Saptarshi Mallick, Kshounish Patra, and Santu Biswas
- Third Prize (₹5 lakh): SUVARN – Semi-Unsupervised Value-adaptive Artificial Resource Network by Sayantani Bhattacharya, Dr. Sabyasachi Nag, Arun A, and Yavthish Kannaa G S
- Special Prize (₹5 lakh): AI/ML solution for identifying new exploration areas for critical minerals like REE, Ni-PGE, Copper, and other commodities such as diamond, iron, manganese, and gold by Deepa Kumari, Anamika Choudhary, and Sandhya Jagannathan
The India AI Impact Summit 2026, set for 19–20 February in New Delhi, will convene global leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and researchers to discuss AI’s potential in advancing People, Planet, and Progress.
In conclusion, Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, highlighted:
Our focus remains on leveraging existing legislation wherever possible. At the heart of it all is human centricity, ensuring AI serves humanity and improves people’s lives while addressing potential harms.