New Delhi: India is developing a “well-calibrated” regulatory framework for artificial intelligence (AI) that seeks to balance innovation with necessary safeguards, Electronics and Information Technology Secretary S Krishnan has said. The proposed framework will draw lessons from regulatory models adopted in the United States, the European Union and other international forums while being tailored to India’s own technological and economic priorities.
Speaking to NDTV Profit, Krishnan said governments around the world are increasingly recognising the need to regulate AI as the technology rapidly evolves. He stressed that India’s approach would neither be overly restrictive nor so lenient that it leaves critical risks unaddressed.
The comments come as the Centre advances the IndiaAI Mission, expands public AI computing infrastructure and supports the development of indigenous foundation models to strengthen the country’s artificial intelligence ecosystem.
India seeks balanced AI regulation
Krishnan said there is now broad international consensus that artificial intelligence cannot remain entirely unregulated.
“Globally, there’s a belief that AI needs to be regulated. The loudest voice against AI regulation was from the US, but today they’re regulating access to certain frontier models. That itself shows how the thinking has evolved,” he said.
According to Krishnan, India’s objective is to create a regulatory framework that introduces appropriate safeguards without slowing technological innovation or discouraging investment in the sector.
“Our response has to be a well-calibrated set of rules. We need safeguards and guardrails that AI platforms must follow, but at the same time regulation shouldn’t stifle innovation,” he said.
The government believes such a balanced approach will help ensure responsible AI deployment while allowing startups, researchers and technology companies to continue developing innovative AI applications.
Studying global AI governance models
India is closely monitoring how other countries and regions are approaching artificial intelligence regulation before finalising its own framework.
Krishnan said the government has been studying evolving AI governance models adopted by jurisdictions including the United States and the European Union.
The Centre has consistently maintained that it does not intend to replicate either the European Union’s highly prescriptive AI Act or the relatively lighter regulatory approach initially adopted by the United States.
Instead, policymakers aim to develop a framework suited to India’s rapidly growing digital economy, expanding startup ecosystem and increasing AI adoption across industries.
The proposed regulations are expected to address potential risks associated with advanced or frontier AI models while ensuring that compliance requirements remain proportionate for businesses.
Challenge of regulating rapidly evolving technology
Krishnan acknowledged that framing legislation for artificial intelligence presents unique challenges because the technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace.
“The law has to keep pace with technology. That’s a fine line we need to tread and designing such a framework is a challenge. It will take some time,” he said.
Unlike conventional technologies, AI models continue to evolve rapidly through new research, larger computing capabilities and increasingly sophisticated applications.
This makes it difficult for governments to draft legislation that remains relevant over time without requiring frequent amendments.
The government is therefore working towards creating a future-ready regulatory structure that can adapt to technological developments while maintaining legal certainty.
India participating in international AI discussions
India has been actively engaging with global partners on issues related to artificial intelligence governance and responsible AI development.
Krishnan said the country is participating in several international forums where policymakers are discussing topics such as AI infrastructure, computing resources, safety standards and regulatory approaches.
“We’re part of various global fora looking at these issues and we’ve exchanged notes with countries and blocs including the EU and Pax Silica on what AI regulation could look like,” he said.
These discussions allow India to understand emerging international best practices while contributing its own perspective as one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies.
International cooperation is becoming increasingly important as AI technologies often operate across borders and involve globally connected digital ecosystems.
IndiaAI Mission driving domestic AI ecosystem
The proposed AI regulatory framework comes alongside the government’s broader efforts to strengthen India’s artificial intelligence capabilities through the IndiaAI Mission.
The Centre is investing in public AI computing infrastructure, supporting research into indigenous foundation models and encouraging sector-specific AI applications across healthcare, education, agriculture, manufacturing and governance.
Officials believe that building domestic AI capabilities will reduce dependence on foreign technologies while enabling Indian companies to develop solutions tailored to local needs.
The government has also emphasised the importance of ensuring equitable access to AI computing resources for startups, academic institutions and researchers.
Focus on innovation with safeguards
India’s evolving AI policy reflects the government’s attempt to strike a balance between promoting innovation and protecting public interest.
Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all regulatory model, policymakers appear to be favouring a risk-based approach that introduces safeguards for advanced AI systems while preserving flexibility for startups and emerging businesses.
As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into businesses, public services and everyday life, the regulatory framework is expected to play a key role in ensuring transparency, accountability and responsible deployment.
With work continuing on indigenous AI models, public computing infrastructure and sector-specific AI applications, the proposed legislation is likely to become a cornerstone of India’s long-term strategy to establish itself as a leading global hub for trusted and responsible artificial intelligence.