The approach to regulating AI in India, Pg7

India has no official AI policy or legislation yet, unlike several countries like the U.S., U.K., China, and EU nations.

The NITI Aayog's National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (2018) remains a guidance document with no formal endorsement from the Government of India.

Efforts are focused on promoting AI development, but without binding governance frameworks.

An advisory group is working on AI governance recommendations, though clarity is lacking on whether these will be formally adopted.

The EU's GDPR and China's Personal Information Protection Law offer centralised and comprehensive frameworks.

The U.S. follows a more sector-specific, decentralised approach.

India must balance rapid AI adoption with safeguards against:

• Discrimination and exclusion

• Cybersecurity risks and privacy breaches

• Lack of algorithmic transparency

India’s documents lack clearly defined legal enforcement, implementation strategies, and citizen safeguards.

There is a low level of civic awareness around AI issues like algorithmic bias and data privacy.

Governance remains reactive and leader-dependent, rather than institutionalised.

No clear framework exists to manage cross-sectoral use cases of AI (e.g., banking, education, healthcare).

India should move toward a hybrid model based on global best practices and tailored to its needs.

A short-term AI policy can:

• Offer legal clarity

• Define ethical and safe use standards

• Prioritize areas for socio-economic transformation

• India should adopt a rights-based, citizen-centric approach to AI governance while enabling responsible innovation.

Mains Mock Question:

“India’s approach to Artificial Intelligence governance has been more developmental than regulatory. Discuss the implications of this with suggestions for a balanced AI policy framework.”