India Unveils 7-Sutra Framework to Advance ‘AI for All’ Vision

New Delhi — India has introduced a comprehensive AI governance framework based on seven guiding principles, aimed at ensuring that artificial intelligence promotes inclusive growth, economic progress, and global competitiveness while addressing societal and individual risks through balanced, evidence-based regulation.

According to an official explanation released on Sunday, the guidelines are designed to help the country achieve its long-term vision of “AI for All.” The initiative seeks to harness the transformative power of AI to support the national goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, ensuring that technological advancements benefit every citizen in a secure, inclusive, and sustainable manner.

The governance framework is built around seven core principles: Trust is the Foundation, People First, Innovation over Restraint, Fairness and Equity, Accountability, Understandable by Design, and Safety, Resilience and Sustainability.

By emphasising “AI for All,” India aims to merge sovereign technological capabilities with open innovation. The strategy involves strengthening public digital infrastructure, promoting indigenous AI model development, and ensuring affordable computing resources. This approach is intended to boost productivity, enable inclusive development, and enhance strategic self-reliance.

India’s progress in AI reflects a deployment-focused strategy. Under the IndiaAI Mission, more than 38,000 GPUs have been integrated into a subsidised national computing facility. Additionally, AIKosh hosts over 9,500 datasets along with 273 sector-specific models, supporting domestic AI innovation.

The National Supercomputing Mission has also made significant advancements by operationalising more than 40 petaflop-scale computing systems, including AIRAWAT and PARAM Siddhi-AI.

On the human resource front, IndiaAI and FutureSkills programmes are supporting 500 doctoral candidates, 5,000 postgraduate students, and 8,000 undergraduate students. Meanwhile, 570 AI Data Labs and 27 IndiaAI laboratories established across states are helping to expand grassroots-level AI innovation. The government notes that nearly 90 percent of Indian startups are now integrating AI technologies into their operations.

The AI Governance Guidelines are scheduled to be formally released at the AI Impact Summit 2026. The framework adopts a principle-driven techno-legal model to balance technological innovation with regulatory safeguards.

To strengthen institutional oversight, India is setting up dedicated bodies such as the AI Governance Group, the Technology and Policy Expert Committee, and the AI Safety Institute. These institutions aim to implement a coordinated, government-wide strategy that promotes responsible AI development while ensuring safety and ethical standards.

The government emphasised that the framework’s guiding principles are designed to remain technology-neutral and adaptable across sectors. This flexible approach is expected to ensure the guidelines remain relevant amid rapid technological changes, thereby supporting responsible AI development and deployment across industries.

With inputs from IANS