The North News
New Delhi, December 20
The governent’s newly released Artificial Intelligence governance guidelines do not permit the unrestricted deployment of high-risk AI systems, the government has said, outlining safeguards to protect individuals and society while allowing innovation to continue. The guidelines, released on November 5 form a national framework for the safe, responsible and inclusive development of AI. They reflect the government’s broader vision, articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, of democratising technology and using AI to address real-world challenges across sectors. The information was shared by Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
According to the government, India has adopted a balanced techno-legal approach to AI regulation, drawing on global legal frameworks and extensive stakeholder consultations. Rather than relying solely on legislation or market forces, the strategy combines legal safeguards with technological solutions.
As part of this approach, the government is funding research and development projects at premier institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology, to develop tools for deepfake detection, privacy protection and cybersecurity. Officials said this reflects the view that effective AI governance must be backed by practical technical interventions to ensure trust and safety.
The guidelines recognise AI as a key driver of economic growth and social transformation, while also acknowledging risks such as bias, discrimination, unfair outcomes, exclusion and lack of transparency. They adopt a risk-based, evidence-led and proportionate framework, with specific safeguards for systems considered high-risk.
Sectoral regulators will continue to be responsible for enforcement and oversight within their existing legal mandates. The guidelines are principle-based and designed to remain flexible, supporting responsible AI adoption without stifling innovation.
They do not introduce new statutory mechanisms such as independent audits or new oversight bodies. Instead, the framework relies on existing laws, including those governing information technology, data protection and sector-specific regulation. The government said a standalone, horizontal AI law is not required at this stage.
