India Launches First AI Governance Framework for Responsible Innovation Facts for Exams

• India has unveiled its first AI Governance Framework to ensure responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) . The guidelines, released by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in November 2025 , mark a major policy milestone in aligning innovation with accountability and data ethics .

1. About the Framework

• Issued By: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)

• Released On: November 2025

• Objective: To establish a governance structure for ethical, transparent, and secure AI deployment in India.

• Approach: No new AI-specific law; instead, it promotes adaptive regulation through existing legislations.

2. Adaptive Regulation Approach

• The framework rejects the idea of a standalone AI law.

• It proposes incremental legal adaptation using existing statutes such as:

  • Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000

  • Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023

  • Consumer Protection Act, 2019

• Focuses on reinterpretation and amendment of these laws to address AI-related issues like:

  • Algorithmic bias

  • Misinformation

  • Data misuse and privacy violations

3. Legal Focus Areas

• Redefining “Intermediary”:
  The IT Act’s current definition includes online platforms but excludes AI systems that autonomously generate or modify content.

• The framework suggests reviewing whether such AI systems should continue to enjoy “safe harbour” protection under Section 79 of the IT Act or face new accountability standards .

• High-Risk AI Registry:
  A national registry is proposed for tracking high-risk AI systems , ensuring traceability and ethical use .

4. Key Principles

• Transparency and Explainability: AI systems must provide understandable outputs and decision processes.

• Risk-Based Compliance: Regulations should vary according to the risk level of AI applications.

• Inter-policy Coordination: Harmonisation across data protection, consumer rights, and cybersecurity laws.

• Public Trust: Ensures AI innovation aligns with democratic values and social responsibility.