Policy Tracker
India has no single AI Act yet. Operators must track a stack: DPDP + IT Rules, MeitY / IndiaAI guidelines, sectoral circulars (RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, ICMR), court orders on deepfakes, and state AI missions. This tracker maps that stack in one timeline.
50
Instruments
36
Central
14
State entries
7
States covered
Coverage includes MeitY, IndiaAI Mission, DPDP Act/Rules, IT Act & Rules (deepfakes/SGI), NITI Responsible AI, RBI FREE-AI, SEBI/IRDAI/ICMR/CDSCO sectoral notes, ECI election advisories, High Court deepfake waves, and state policies from Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh. Filter by level and instrument type; sector filters unlock on Brief+.
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Showing 50 of 50 instruments
- centralGuidelinesannouncedMeitY·Cross-sector
MeitY AI governance operational expectations (2026 desk note)
Post-guidelines operational push: purpose documentation, logging, and human oversight expectations for high-impact AI deployers — tracked for founders alongside the formal India AI Governance Guidelines.
governancecompliancehigh-riskSource → - centralCourtin-forceJudiciary·Platforms / Intermediaries
Delhi & Madras HC deepfake / personality-rights rulings (wave)
High Court orders and injunctions on deepfakes and personality rights — de facto product requirements for generative media startups ahead of fuller statutory labelling rules.
courtdeepfakepersonality-rightsSource → - centralGuidelinesin-forceIFSCA·BFSI / Markets
IFSCA cybersecurity guidelines for MIIs (AI risk, 6-hour reporting)
Cybersecurity and cyber-resilience guidelines for market infrastructure institutions in GIFT City covering AI-related cyber risk, six-hour incident reporting, and post-quantum readiness expectations.
ifscagift-citycyberincident-reportingSource → - centralRulesin-forceMeitY·Platforms / Intermediaries
IT Rules 2026 Amendment on deepfakes / SGI comes into force
Amended IT Rules on synthetically generated information (SGI) / deepfakes take effect — including accelerated takedown timelines and AI-generated content labelling duties for covered intermediaries.
it-rulesdeepfakelabellingtakedownSource → - centralMission / PolicyannouncedMeitY·Cross-sector
India AI Impact Summit 2026 (Bharat Mandapam)
New Delhi hosted the India AI Impact Summit 2026, with multilateral declarations and domestic signalling on safe, trusted AI aligned to the IndiaAI Mission pillars.
summitindiaaidiplomacySource → - centralRulesin-forceMeitY·Platforms / Intermediaries
IT Rules 2026 Amendment notified (3-hour takedown, AI labelling)
Notification of IT Rules amendments targeting synthetically generated / deepfake content — notable for short takedown clocks and mandatory labelling of AI-generated media for significant social media intermediaries.
it-rulesdeepfakelabellingSource → - stateMission / Policyin-forceGovernment of Maharashtra·Cross-sector
Maharashtra AI Policy 2026 approved
Cabinet-approved state AI policy targeting ~₹10,000 Cr investment and ~1.5 lakh jobs by 2031 — Maharashtra AI Mission, six CoEs (health, agri, education, urban, Marathi, finance), AI innovation cities, and mandatory annual AI readiness audits for covered entities.
state-policymaharashtraskillingcoeSource → - stateMission / Policyin-forceGovernment of Karnataka·Infrastructure
Karnataka IT Policy 2025–30 (AI-native incentives)
IT Policy 2025–30 with ~₹967 Cr incentives — explicit AI/deep-tech focus, expansion beyond Bengaluru (Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi, etc.), and “AI-native destination” branding.
karnatakait-policyincentivestier-2Source → - centralRulesin-forceMeitY·Platforms / Intermediaries
IT Rules amendment on Synthetically Generated Information notified
MeitY notifies amendments addressing synthetically generated information — the legislative backbone for later deepfake labelling and takedown timelines.
it-rulessgideepfakeSource → - centralRulesin-forceMeitY·Privacy / Data
DPDP Rules 2025 notified (phased compliance window)
Implementing rules under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 — consent, purpose limitation, security, and breach duties with a phased compliance runway. Directly shapes lawful AI training and inference on personal data.
dpdpprivacyrulestraining-dataSource → - centralGuidelinesin-forceMeitY·Cross-sector
MeitY India AI Governance Guidelines (7 Sutras)
Principle-based India AI Governance Guidelines — seven sutras (trust, people-first, innovation over restraint, fairness, accountability, understandability, safety). Proposes AIGG, TPEC, and AI Safety Institute architecture with graded, voluntary-first compliance.
governanceguidelinesaisiaiggSource → - centralRulesconsultationMeitY·Platforms / Intermediaries
Draft IT Rules amendment on deepfakes / SGI (consultation)
Draft amendments published for consultation on deepfake and synthetically generated information obligations for intermediaries — precursor to the 2026 notifications.
it-rulesdraftdeepfakeSource → - centralSectoraldraftCDSCO·Healthcare
CDSCO draft guidance on medical device software (SaMD/SiMD, AI/ML)
Draft guidance for software as/in a medical device covering AI/ML lifecycle expectations for clinical software marketed in India.
cdscosamdhealth-aidraftSource → - centralSectoralin-forceRBI·BFSI
RBI FREE-AI Framework (7 sutras, 26 recommendations)
Framework for Responsible and Ethical Enablement of AI in the financial sector — seven sutras and 26 recommendations spanning model risk, consumer protection, governance, and operational resilience for banks and NBFCs.
rbifree-aibfsimodel-riskSource → - stateMission / Policyin-forceGovernment of Telangana·Public services
Telangana TGDeX AI-ready data exchange launched
State AI-ready data exchange (TGDeX) to unlock non-personal / governed datasets for public-service AI and startup innovation under the Telangana AI roadmap.
telanganadatasetspublic-sectorSource → - centralSectoralconsultationSEBI·BFSI / Markets
SEBI consultation paper on AI/ML in securities markets
Consultation on use of AI/ML by market participants and intermediaries — disclosure, governance, and investor-protection questions for securities markets.
sebisecuritiesconsultationSource → - stateMission / Policyin-forceGovernment of Maharashtra·Agriculture
Maharashtra MahaAgri-AI Policy 2025–29
Sectoral state policy for AI in agriculture — advisory, crop, and agri-stack use cases with dedicated outlay signalling.
maharashtraagricultureagri-aiSource → - stateMission / Policyin-forceGovernment of Odisha·Cross-sector
Odisha AI Policy 2025 approved
State AI policy focused on talent development, public-service AI adoption, and building capacity to create and operate AI systems in Odisha.
odishastate-policyskillingSource → - centralSectoralin-forceSEBI·BFSI / Markets
SEBI: safer retail participation in algorithmic trading (w.e.f. Apr 2026)
Measures for safer retail participation in algo trading — relevant where brokers and fintechs use AI/ML-driven execution and recommendation stacks.
sebialgo-tradingretailSource → - centralGuidelinesannouncedMeitY·Cross-sector
IndiaAI report on AI governance guidelines development
IndiaAI publishes developmental report feeding into the later India AI Governance Guidelines — maps institutional options and risk framing for India.
indiaaigovernancereportSource → - centralGuidelinesconsultationMeitY·Cross-sector
MeitY draft AI Governance Guidelines (public consultation)
Draft AI governance guidelines opened for consultation — precursor to the November 2025 sutra-based India AI Governance Guidelines.
meitydraftgovernanceSource → - centralRulesconsultationMeitY·Privacy / Data
Draft DPDP Rules 2025 published
Draft rules under DPDP Act published for consultation — consent managers, reasonable security, and processing conditions that AI product teams must design for.
dpdpdraft-rulesprivacySource → - stateMission / Policyin-forceGovernment of Tamil Nadu·Public services
Tamil Nadu AI Mission (TNAIM) — G.O. Ms. No. 25, 2024
G.O. establishing Tamil Nadu Artificial Intelligence Mission (TNAIM) with budgeted implementation via TNeGA — safe & ethical AI for governance, building on the state’s TAM-DEF / DEEP-MAX frameworks.
tamil-nadutnaimethical-aiSource → - stateMission / Policyin-forceGovernment of Telangana·Public services
Telangana AI-Powered Strategy Roadmap
State roadmap aiming AI-driven services for 1+ crore citizens by 2027 across agri, health, education, and mobility — local datasets, AI City near Hyderabad, and large-scale skilling targets.
telanganaroadmapcitizen-servicesSource → - stateMission / PolicyannouncedGovernment of Telangana·Cross-sector
Telangana AI Roadmap & Advisory Council announced
Advisory council and institutional setup accompanying Telangana’s AI roadmap — governance overlay for state AI programmes.
telanganaadvisory-councilSource → - stateGuidelinesin-forceGovernment of Tamil Nadu·Cross-sector
Tamil Nadu Safe & Ethical AI Policy (2024 refresh)
State policy for safe and ethical AI — TAM-DEF evaluation dimensions and DEEP-MAX scorecard for public-sector AI procurement and deployment.
tamil-naduethical-aiprocurementSource → - centralAdvisoryin-forceECI·Elections
Election Commission advisory on AI / deepfakes in elections
ECI guidance on AI-generated / deepfake content in the electoral context — labelling, takedown coordination, and platform responsibilities during election periods.
electionsdeepfakeeciSource → - centralAdvisoryin-forceMeitY·Platforms / Intermediaries
MeitY clarification on “untested AI” advisory
Clarification walking back / narrowing the March 2024 advisory language on “untested AI” — important compliance history for platforms and AI startups.
meityadvisoryclarificationSource → - centralMission / Policyin-forceMeitY·Infrastructure
IndiaAI Mission approved (₹10,371.92 crore)
Cabinet approval of IndiaAI Mission — seven pillars including compute (≥10k GPUs ambition), innovation centre for foundation models, datasets platform, applications, future skills, startup financing, and safe & trusted AI.
indiaaimissioncomputecabinetSource → - centralAdvisorysupersededMeitY·Platforms / Intermediaries
MeitY advisory on AI / deepfakes (March 2024)
Controversial intermediary advisory on AI-generated content and “untested” models — later clarified; still a milestone in India’s soft-law approach to generative AI harms.
meityadvisorydeepfakeSource → - stateMission / PolicyannouncedGovernment of Karnataka·Public services
Karnataka AI/ML administration unit announced
State move to institutionalise AI/ML capacity inside administration — part of Karnataka’s push to brand as an AI-native destination alongside later IT Policy 2025–30 incentives.
karnatakapublic-sectorcapacitySource → - stateMission / PolicyannouncedGovernment of Maharashtra·Cross-sector
Maharashtra MoU with Google on AI
State–industry MoU with Google on AI capacity, skilling, and public digital programmes — precursor energy to Maharashtra’s fuller AI Policy 2026.
maharashtramouskillingSource → - stateMission / PolicyannouncedGovernment of Andhra Pradesh·Public services
Andhra Pradesh “AI for AP” initiative
State AI programme with industry partners aimed at citizen services and skilling under the “AI for AP” banner.
andhra-pradeshcitizen-servicesSource → - stateMission / PolicyannouncedGovernment of Gujarat·BFSI / Markets
Gujarat AI taskforce with Microsoft at GIFT City
Gujarat–Microsoft AI collaboration centred on GIFT City — fintech, IFSC adjacency, and state AI capacity building.
gujaratgift-cityfintechSource → - centralLegislationin-forceDoT·Telecom
Telecommunications Act, 2023
Modern telecom statute replacing colonial-era telegraph law — relevant to AI voice bots, interception rules, and telecom-adjacent AI services.
telecomlegislationSource → - centralLegislationin-forceMeitY·Privacy / Data
Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 enacted
India’s primary personal-data statute — consent, purpose limitation, fiduciary duties, and penalties (up to ₹250 Cr) that govern personal data used to train or operate AI systems.
dpdplegislationprivacySource → - centralIndustryin-forceNASSCOM·Cross-sector
NASSCOM GenAI guidelines
Industry self-regulatory guidance for generative AI deployment by Indian IT/BPM and product companies.
nasscomgenaiindustrySource → - centralSectoralin-forceICMR·Healthcare
ICMR ethical guidelines for AI in biomedical research & healthcare
Ethics framework for AI in biomedical research and healthcare — consent, bias, clinical validation, and accountability expectations for Indian health-AI builders.
icmrhealth-aiethicsSource → - centralSectoralin-forceRBI·BFSI
RBI Master Directions on Digital Lending (2022)
Digital lending directions with data, consent, and LSPs — foundational for AI-driven credit underwriting and collections stacks in India.
rbidigital-lendingfintechSource → - centralGuidelinesdraftMeitY·Privacy / Data
Draft National Data Governance Framework Policy
Draft framework for non-personal data / government data sharing — important backdrop for IndiaAI datasets pillar and public-sector AI.
data-governancedraftdatasetsSource → - centralGuidelinesin-forceNITI Aayog·Cross-sector
NITI Aayog — Operationalising Responsible AI (Part 2)
Follow-on to Responsible AI Part 1 — operational principles for public and private AI adoption in India.
nitiresponsible-aiSource → - centralRulesin-forceMeitY·Platforms / Intermediaries
IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021
Core intermediary due-diligence rules — later amended for deepfakes/SGI. Still the primary soft-law spine for platform AI content liability in India.
it-rulesintermediariesSource → - centralSectoralin-forceIRDAI·BFSI / Insurance
IRDAI emerging technologies in insurance — adoption strategies
IRDAI guidance on emerging tech (including AI) adoption strategies for insurers and ecosystem stakeholders.
irdaiinsuranceemerging-techSource → - centralGuidelinesin-forceNITI Aayog·Cross-sector
NITI Aayog — Responsible AI for All (Part 1)
Foundational voluntary Responsible AI principles for India — fairness, transparency, accountability themes that later MeitY guidelines still echo.
nitiresponsible-aiSource → - stateGuidelinessupersededGovernment of Tamil Nadu·Cross-sector
Tamil Nadu Safe & Ethical AI Policy 2020 (first version)
India’s early state-level safe & ethical AI policy — introduced TAM-DEF and DEEP-MAX concepts later refreshed in 2024.
tamil-naduethical-aifirst-moverSource → - centralSectoralin-forceSEBI·BFSI / Markets
SEBI reporting requirements for AI/ML in mutual funds (2019)
Early SEBI circular requiring reporting of AI/ML applications used by mutual funds — among India’s first sectoral AI disclosure rules.
sebimutual-fundsdisclosureSource → - centralSectoralin-forceSEBI·BFSI / Markets
SEBI reporting for AI/ML at market infrastructure institutions (2019)
Reporting framework for AI/ML systems offered/used by MIIs — exchanges, depositories, clearing corporations.
sebimiidisclosureSource → - centralGuidelinesin-forceNITI Aayog·Cross-sector
NITI Aayog National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (#AIForAll)
India’s flagship national AI strategy discussion paper — healthcare, agriculture, education, smart cities, and smart mobility as priority sectors under #AIForAll.
nitinational-strategyaiforallSource → - centralCourtin-forceSupreme Court·Privacy / Data
Puttaswamy judgment — privacy as a fundamental right
Constitutional foundation for India’s privacy regime — underpins DPDP and any AI system processing personal data of individuals in India.
supreme-courtprivacyconstitutionalSource → - centralLegislationin-forceMeitY·Platforms / Intermediaries
Information Technology Act, 2000 (as amended)
India’s primary cyber statute — intermediary safe harbour, cyber offences, and the parent authority for IT Rules that now reach deepfakes and AI-generated content. Digital India Act proposed as eventual replacement (not yet enacted).
it-actlegislationintermediariesSource →