India to launch public consultation on AI governance framework

A roadmap for AI governance

The Indian government is preparing a formal consultation paper to establish its stance on artificial intelligence. Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw shared this news during the NDTV World Summit 2026 in New Delhi. The document is expected to be released in the coming weeks as a starting point for national policy.

This move signals that the government is looking to create a structured approach to AI governance. Rather than moving forward with a pre-set agenda, the administration intends to seek views from a wide variety of stakeholders. This includes citizens, industry representatives, and subject matter experts who will help shape the final approach.

The consultation process aims to provide a platform for different sections of society to share their perspectives. By involving those who develop AI systems alongside the people who use them, the government hopes to identify the most pressing concerns. This inclusive method is intended to ensure that the resulting framework reflects a broad consensus on how the technology should function in daily life.

Rapid adoption across industries

The push for regulation comes at a time when AI is being integrated rapidly into the core of the Indian economy. Minister Vaishnaw noted that the technology is seeing significant uptake in diverse sectors such as banking, manufacturing, and insurance. These industries are beginning to recognize both the massive potential benefits and the potential harms of these tools.

Businesses in the financial services and manufacturing sectors are increasingly aware of the risks associated with automated systems. Because these industries handle sensitive data and critical infrastructure, the government wants specific inputs from these players. The goal is to understand how AI is currently being deployed and what specific protections these businesses require to operate safely.

The government's interest in these specific sectors highlights the practical nature of the upcoming consultation. It is not just about theoretical risks but about how AI impacts actual jobs, services, and economic stability. By gathering data from these active users, policymakers can better understand the friction points between innovation and safety requirements.

Prioritizing human control

A central theme of the government's proposed approach is the necessity of keeping AI under human supervision. Minister Vaishnaw argued that innovation should not occur at the expense of human safety. He stated that AI must remain human-centric, ensuring that people retain control over the models, the autonomous agents, and the final outcomes produced by the technology.

To ensure this control is practical, the minister called for specific mechanisms that would allow AI systems to be stopped if they behave unexpectedly. These safeguards are intended to prevent systems from going out of control as they become more widely used in public and private spheres. The government wants to ensure that humans are always the ultimate decision-makers in automated processes.

This philosophy suggests that the government is wary of fully autonomous systems that lack a 'kill switch' or clear human oversight. By focusing on human-centricity, the policy aims to build public trust in AI. It seeks to create a environment where technology serves human needs without undermining human authority or safety standards.

Balancing growth and safety

One of the primary challenges for Indian policymakers will be creating a framework that addresses genuine risks without stifling progress. The government needs to find a balance where researchers and businesses can still develop useful applications. If regulations are too heavy, they might hinder the country's ability to compete in the global AI landscape.

The consultation paper is an early step in identifying the priorities that policymakers need to consider. It will help determine which areas require the most immediate attention, such as accountability and transparency. The final rules will depend on how the government translates the feedback it receives into clear, enforceable guidelines for the tech industry.

While the minister did not announce a specific AI law or a timeline for new legislation, the consultation is a significant move toward formalization. It sets the stage for whether the government will eventually introduce a standalone law, amend existing rules, or create a different regulatory framework. The next phase will involve analyzing the public's input to decide which path is most effective for India's goals.

Global cooperation and standards

The Indian government is also looking at the broader international context of AI development. Minister Vaishnaw suggested that countries building major AI ecosystems need to work toward common principles for evaluating the technology. This is particularly important as nations compete to build the most advanced models and applications for their own markets.

Even as competition between countries intensifies, the minister emphasized the need for shared standards regarding safety and ethics. Establishing common principles could help ensure that AI development does not lead to a race to the bottom regarding safety standards. It suggests that India wants to be a responsible player in the global AI community while still pursuing its own technological goals.

The upcoming consultation will likely reflect these global considerations as well. By seeking input from international experts and local stakeholders, India aims to position itself as a leader in responsible AI. The goal is to create a framework that is robust enough to handle local needs while remaining compatible with emerging global norms.