On November 5, MeitY unveiled the AI Governance Guidelines under the IndiaAI Mission — a measured, pragmatic framework that could well become the gold standard for responsible AI adoption worldwide. As India prepares to host the AI Action Summit in February 2026, this framework arrives at a critical juncture when the global community desperately needs alternatives to the binary extremes of laissez-faire innovation and suffocating regulation.

The guidelines rest on four interlinked components that together create a coherent governance architecture. First, seven guiding principles (or sutras) establish the philosophical foundation: Trust, people first, innovation over restraint, fairness and equity, accountability, understandable by design, and safety, resilience, and sustainability. These aren’t mere platitudes — they represent a distinctly Indian approach that balances technological advancement with social responsibility.
Second, six pillars of practical recommendations span infrastructure, capacity building, policy and regulation, risk mitigation, accountability, and institutions. This horizontal integration ensures that AI governance isn’t siloed within technology ministries but permeates across sectors — from finance to healthcare, education to agriculture.

Third, an action plan with clear timelines breaks the ambitious vision into achievable milestones. Short-term priorities include establishing governance institutions and developing India-specific risk frameworks. Medium-term goals focus on standardisation and legal amendments. Long-term objectives emphasise continuous review and future-ready legislation — a refreshing acknowledgement that AI governance cannot be static.
Link: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/indias-ai-governance-blueprint-is-global-souths-best-bet-heres-why-10382948/