Union Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that the Centre will release a consultation paper on artificial intelligence regulation within a month, marking a significant step towards developing a formal framework for governing AI in India. The paper is expected to seek views from stakeholders and provide the basis for future regulatory measures. The announcement was made at the India launch of the World Bank's World Development Report 2026 on artificial intelligence.

The proposed consultation will focus primarily on AI safety and the potential harms associated with the technology. Vaishnaw said the framework would follow a human-first approach, while also addressing skilling and ensuring that the benefits of AI reach different sections of society. The government is looking to balance technological innovation with safeguards against risks emerging from increasingly powerful AI systems.

Deepfakes are expected to be a major area of concern in the consultation process. Vaishnaw pointed to the rapid improvement in the quality of AI-generated deceptive content and the possibility of people being misled by material that appears authentic. The proposed framework is also expected to consider issues involving cybersecurity, user harm and the potential psychological effects associated with certain uses of AI.

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The minister indicated that regulation would require more than legislation alone, with the government considering a combination of legal and technological safeguards. Industry is expected to have a significant role in addressing risks, particularly those involving safety, cybersecurity and harmful applications. The consultation process is intended to bring relevant stakeholders into discussions before a broader regulatory framework is finalised.

The move represents a shift in the Centre's approach to AI governance. India had previously relied largely on existing laws, sector-specific regulations and voluntary commitments to address emerging AI-related concerns. The forthcoming consultation paper is expected to help determine where additional regulatory measures may be required as AI adoption expands across different sectors.

Alongside regulation, the government has continued to emphasise the wider benefits of AI in areas such as agriculture, healthcare and education. Vaishnaw has stressed the importance of making the technology accessible to startups, researchers, students and businesses while preparing workers for changes brought by AI. The upcoming consultation is therefore expected to address both the risks associated with the technology and ways to ensure its benefits are more broadly shared.

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