The Approach to Regulating AI in India
India’s evolving journey toward responsible AI governance in a global context
Why in News?
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) rapidly reshapes economies, governance, and social structures, countries around the world are developing regulatory frameworks to ensure safe, inclusive, and ethical AI use. India, while making notable progress, still lacks a formal and comprehensive national strategy for AI regulation.
Introduction
Globally, AI regulation has become a major priority, with countries like the U.S., EU, China, and Canada releasing detailed plans. The focus has now shifted to balancing safety, inclusivity, and human rights with innovation and economic growth. India, despite initiating efforts like the IndiaAI mission, has yet to release an official AI policy or strategy.
Key Issues
1. India’s Current AI Strategy
India does not have a formal National AI Strategy or implementation plan. The NITI Aayog’s 2018 discussion paper titled ‘National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence’ laid down some key recommendations but was not adopted officially or backed by a dedicated budget.
India’s AI efforts are currently being led by IndiaAI Mission, which focuses on building a safe, inclusive, and reliable AI ecosystem through foundational models, advisory groups, and policy suggestions. However, these recommendations lack legal binding and clear implementation paths.
2. The Global Context
Many countries have adopted formal laws or frameworks:
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EU’s GDPR and China’s PIPL offer comprehensive data protection.
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The U.S., U.K., and China are heavily investing in AI regulation, especially to counter biases, cyber threats, and privacy issues.
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85 countries have already published official AI strategies, India still lags in this area.
3. Key Challenges in India
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Voluntary adoption and lack of legal clarity dominate the current approach.
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Public awareness is low, especially regarding algorithmic bias, AI’s influence in governance, and societal impact.
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AI regulation is still fragmented and lacks coordination with sector-specific needs like finance, healthcare, education, and law enforcement.
4. Lessons from Other Countries
India can benefit by studying how other nations structure their AI governance. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP) is a step forward, aligning with international norms like GDPR and China’s PIPL. It establishes a centralised approach for data security, which can serve as a base model for AI policy.
Challenges and the Way Forward
India must urgently move beyond advisory discussions and set up a formal AI governance policy. A short-term, pilot-based framework could allow testing ethical guidelines, industry-specific use cases, and data protection policies.
India should also consider key priority areas like:
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AI for All
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Building AI capacity and infrastructure
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Public sector AI adoption
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Accountability and ethics in AI usage
Conclusion
India’s AI future depends on how quickly and effectively it can regulate this transformative technology. By learning from global best practices and aligning them with national priorities, India can create a robust, safe, and inclusive AI ecosystem. But for that, AI regulation must be treated as an urgent policy priority.
Q&A Section
Q1: Does India have an official national strategy for AI regulation?
A: No, India does not have a formally adopted national strategy. Although NITI Aayog’s 2018 paper suggested a roadmap, it was never officially implemented or budgeted.
Q2: What is the IndiaAI Mission?
A: It is a government initiative to build a trustworthy and inclusive AI ecosystem through research, innovation, and foundational models. However, its recommendations are yet to be integrated into formal policy.
Q3: How does India compare globally in AI regulation?
A: India lags behind. While 85+ countries have official AI strategies, India still lacks a legally binding policy and clarity on AI implementation frameworks.
Q4: What are the risks of not having a clear AI policy?
A: Lack of policy may lead to data privacy breaches, cybersecurity threats, algorithmic biases, unfair outcomes, and misuse of AI-generated misinformation—especially on social media.
Q5: What is the significance of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP), 2023?
A: It is India’s first comprehensive data protection law, similar to GDPR. It provides a strong foundation upon which India can build future AI governance policies.
