India’s Electronics and Information Technology Ministry has released the country’s first AI policy framework, which proposes adaptive regulation and amendments to existing laws instead for a new standalone AI act, The Hindu Businessline reports.

Framework details: The framework aims to promote AI adoption built around the guiding principles of accountability, inclusivity, reliability, fairness, safety and security, equality, transparency and sustainability. The government has also outlined six governance pillars, covering areas including infrastructure, risk mitigation, capacity building, and oversight mechanisms, according to the Press Information Bureau.

Regulatory approach: The framework recommends updating existing regulations — including the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 — instead of introducing a new AI-specific law. It aims to address emerging risks such as bias, misinformation, and data misuse through targeted amendments. The framework also proposes setting up an AI Governance Group supported by an expert committee to monitor compliance and guide sectoral reforms, according to the Press Information Bureau.

Policy direction: The ministry’s senior most official, Secretary S. Krishnan, said the focus is on “encouraging innovation first while ensuring accountability through adaptive oversight.” The framework was developed by a committee chaired by leading academics with participation from government think tank NITI Aayog, Microsoft Research India, law firm Trilegal, and software industry think tank iSPIRT Foundation.

Global context: India’s model positions itself between the EU’s AI Act, which adopts a strict risk-based framework, and the US’ voluntary guidelines, promoting a flexible balance between innovation and safety. The framework was unveiled in New Delhi on 5 November, ahead of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

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