AI governance shift in policy framework

India’s forthcoming AI governance framework is likely to prioritize a technical secretariat—housed within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)—as a coordinating and advisory body rather than creating a traditional standalone regulator for artificial intelligence.

Technical secretariat: Role and structure

• The framework proposes the secretariat to develop standards, metrics, protocols, and guidelines for AI safety, trustworthiness, and cross-sector coordination.
• It will help connect various stakeholders and act as a focal point for inter-ministerial coordination, including MeitY, sectoral regulators (like RBI, SEBI, TRAI), NITI Aayog, and industry representatives.
• Unlike a statutory regulator, the secretariat will not have enforcement powers but will manage a repository of AI incidents, coordinate policies, support inter-agency reporting, and work on public safety and risk assessment.
• The principal approach is activity-based regulation overseen by existing sectoral bodies, rather than a catch-all regulatory authority specifically for AI.

Rationale behind secretariat-first approach

• The government’s move reflects concerns that highly siloed or fragmented regulation could hamper innovation and the adoption of AI across sectors.
• Fragmentation risks include inconsistent standards and unclear jurisdiction for safety and ethical issues. A central secretariat ensures holistic, cross-sectoral alignment and deeper understanding of technology trends, stakeholder risks, and consumer protection.
• The AI framework emphasizes guiding principles, incident reporting, and a whole-of-government approach, with regulatory enforcement only for high-risk cases or safety issues that may be legislated over time.

Framework release timeline and implementation

• The official framework is to be unveiled before the end of September 2025, as per MeitY’s latest announcement, with a focus on rapid maturation and sectoral adaptation in a 100-day, 12-month, and 24-month phased roadmap.
• The secretariat may evolve into a permanent advisory node within the larger IndiaAI Mission, supporting issues like transparency in AI-generated media, labelling, and alignment with global standards (ISO 42001, NIST AI RMF).

India’s strategy reflects a flexible shift away from rigid regulation in favor of adaptable governance and coordination, aiming to balance innovation with ethical safeguards and public safety.

CT Bureau