n 2025, India’s approach to artificial intelligence policy has been marked by a notable shift away from strict regulatory frameworks toward governance that emphasizes innovation, flexibility, and strategic oversight. Government officials, including leaders in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), have signaled a preference for using existing laws and adaptable governance guidelines instead of creating new, standalone AI regulations unless absolutely necessary. This reflects a broader “innovate first, regulate later” philosophy aimed at balancing technological growth with accountability.
Under this emerging model, India’s AI Governance Guidelines prioritize principle‑based oversight—such as human oversight, fairness, transparency, and risk mitigation—applied through existing legal frameworks like the Information Technology Act and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, rather than imposing comprehensive new AI legislation. Government sources affirm that this approach seeks to avoid stifling innovation while still enabling safeguards where needed.
At the same time, practical governance structures are being developed to support responsible AI deployment. Committees and expert groups have recommended establishing institutions for ongoing oversight, such as an AI Governance Group and specialized bodies to coordinate policy and safety, without immediately resorting to binding regulatory mandates. India’s strategy aims to provide guardrails that encourage innovation while keeping options open for targeted regulation as risks evolve.
This measured stance contrasts with some international models that emphasize strict regulatory regimes, and reflects India’s broader policy philosophy of fostering a pro‑innovation AI ecosystem tailored to its economic and social priorities. Officials maintain that while regulation will be introduced where necessary, the immediate focus is on governance, capacity building, and guiding ethical AI adoption to maximize public benefit without dampening technological momentum.
