NOV 05: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), under the IndiaAI Mission, unveiled the India AI Governance Guidelines, a landmark initiative aimed at establishing a secure, transparent, and inclusive AI ecosystem across sectors. The launch marks a major step toward shaping India’s leadership in responsible and ethical artificial intelligence, setting the tone ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
The guidelines were unveiled by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, in the presence of Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY; Shri Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY and CEO, IndiaAI Mission; Ms. Kavita Bhatia, Scientist ‘G’ and COO, IndiaAI Mission; and Prof. B. Ravindran, IIT Madras.
The framework emphasizes safe and responsible AI adoption through seven guiding principles (Sutras), recommendations across six governance pillars, and a multi-stage action plan for implementation. It provides practical directives for policymakers, developers, and industries to ensure ethical design, accountability, and transparency in AI deployment.
Highlighting the spirit of the framework, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood stated, “The guiding principle that defines this effort is simple—‘Do No Harm.’ The IndiaAI Mission will foster innovation through sandboxes, promote flexibility, and ensure risk mitigation within an adaptive ecosystem that can guide the Global South.”
Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, reaffirmed that the framework’s focus remains on human-centric AI, leveraging existing laws to serve society responsibly. “AI must ultimately benefit humanity while mitigating potential harms,” he emphasized.
Shri Abhishek Singh highlighted that the guidelines emerged from extensive stakeholder consultations and a transparent review process. “The Government remains committed to an AI ecosystem that is accessible, affordable, and inclusive—fueling innovation while ensuring safety and trust,” he added.
The committee chaired by Prof. Balaraman Ravindran (IIT Madras) included distinguished experts such as Ms. Debjani Ghosh (NITI Aayog), Dr. Kalika Bali (Microsoft Research), Mr. Rahul Matthan (Trilegal), and Mr. Sharad Sharma (iSPIRT Foundation), among others. The report serves as a foundational reference for policymakers and industry leaders to strengthen national and global cooperation on responsible AI.
The event also witnessed the announcement of winners of the IndiaAI Hackathon for Mineral Targeting, conducted with the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
🏆 First Prize (₹10 lakh): CricSM AI – AI-based critical mineral mapping
🥈 Second Prize (₹7 lakh): Knowledge & Data-Driven Mineral Targeting Approach
🥉 Third Prize (₹5 lakh): SUVARN: Semi-Unsupervised Value-adaptive Artificial Resource Network
⭐ Special Prize (₹5 lakh): Innovative AI/ML model for exploration of rare and precious minerals
The unveiling of the India AI Governance Guidelines marks a defining milestone in India’s journey toward safe, inclusive, and innovation-driven AI governance, paving the way for global collaboration at the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026, to be held in New Delhi on 19–20 February 2026.
