TLDR: A high-powered Indian government committee on Artificial Intelligence has concluded that India does not currently require a separate law for AI regulation. Instead, the panel advocates for leveraging existing legal frameworks and adopting agile guidelines to foster innovation while mitigating risks. The ‘India AI Governance Guidelines’ emphasize governing AI applications rather than the technology itself, with a readiness to introduce new legislation if future risks necessitate it.
A high-powered Indian government committee dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI) has determined that the nation does not presently need a distinct legislative framework for AI regulation. This significant conclusion, documented in the ‘India AI Governance Guidelines’, was announced by top government officials, including Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood and IT Secretary S. Krishnan, on November 6, 2025. The panel’s assessment indicates that a substantial number of risks associated with the rapid advancements in AI can be effectively managed through existing legislative frameworks. These include laws pertaining to Information Technology, data protection, consumer protection, and established civil and criminal codes.
The guidelines explicitly state that ‘existing laws (for example on IT, data protection, consumer protection and statutory civil and criminal codes, etc.) can be used to govern AI applications. Therefore, at this stage, a separate law to regulate AI is not needed, given the current assessment of risks.’ This approach underscores India’s strategy to ‘govern applications of AI by empowering the relevant sectoral regulators, and not to regulate the underlying technology itself.’
The primary objective behind this stance is to encourage innovation and widespread AI adoption across various sectors, while simultaneously ensuring the protection of individuals and society from potential harms. The decision comes at a crucial time when major global AI entities such as OpenAI, Perplexity, Google, and Meta are intensifying their generative AI efforts for Indian users.
Despite the current recommendation against new legislation, IT Secretary S. Krishnan clarified the government’s proactive stance, stating, ‘…let me again assert that if the need arises for legislation or regulation, the government will not be found wanting.’ This indicates a flexible and responsive approach to AI governance, ready to adapt to evolving technological landscapes and emerging risks.
To achieve its goals, the committee advocates for the adoption of ‘balanced, agile and flexible frameworks’ that support innovation while minimizing risks. The official guidelines propose several key steps:
* India-specific risk assessment: Developing a framework based on empirical evidence of harm within the Indian context.
* Voluntary industry measures: Encouraging the AI industry to implement voluntary measures concerning privacy and security.
* Grievance redressal mechanism: Establishing a system for reporting AI-related harms and ensuring their resolution within a reasonable timeframe.
* Transparency reports: Publishing reports that evaluate the risk of harm to individuals and society, with provisions for confidential sharing with regulators if sensitive information is involved.
* Graded liability system: Suggesting a system of accountability based on the function performed by the AI, its risk level, and adherence to due diligence.
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The committee, which was led by Balaraman Ravindran from IIT Madras, also involved members like Abhishek Singh (Additional Secretary of the IT Ministry). These guidelines are also aligned with India’s preparations for the Delhi AI Impact Summit scheduled for February 2026, positioning India as a responsible yet innovation-driven global AI player.
