India
India has no comprehensive AI statute. Its Ministry of Electronics and IT released AI Governance Guidelines built around a set of guiding principles and a sectoral, rather than single-law, model. Alongside that soft-law layer, amendments to its IT Rules in force since February 20, 2026 require clear labeling of AI-generated content on online platforms. In July 2026 the ministry said it would begin consultations and drafting for a dedicated AI law, and on October 8 the IT minister said a consultation paper on AI regulation would be released within a month.
Key points
- MeitY published AI Governance Guidelines on November 5, 2025, organized around guiding principles.
- India has relied on sectoral regulation. In July 2026 MeitY said it would begin drafting a dedicated AI law, and on October 8 the IT minister said a consultation paper on AI regulation, covering safety, cybersecurity, and harms such as deepfakes, would be released within a month.
- IT Rules amendments in force since February 20, 2026 require prominent labels on AI-generated content; a draft second amendment published in March 2026, with comments to May 7, would require continuous visible labels and permanent provenance metadata and has not been finalized.
- The Digital Personal Data Protection Act governs personal data used in AI, with most duties under its 2025 Rules applying from May 14, 2027.
Laws and instruments
India AI Governance Guidelines
A principles-based governance framework for AI, pointing to sector regulators and existing law rather than a dedicated statute.
IT Rules amendments on synthetically generated information
Requires platforms to label AI-generated audio and visual content prominently and to embed provenance metadata where technically feasible. Large social media platforms must collect and verify user declarations, and takedown deadlines fall to three hours for official orders and two hours for intimate imagery.
Timeline
- October 2025MeitY publishes draft IT Rules amendments on labeling AI-generated content.
- November 5, 2025MeitY AI Governance Guidelines released.
- November 14, 2025Digital Personal Data Protection Rules notified, with an 18-month phase-in for most duties.
- February 20, 2026IT Rules amendments requiring labels on AI-generated content take effect.
- March 30, 2026MeitY publishes draft second amendment rules on continuous labels and permanent provenance metadata for AI content; comments close May 7.
- July 9, 2026MeitY says it will begin stakeholder consultations and drafting for a dedicated AI law.
- October 8, 2026The IT minister says a consultation paper on AI regulation will be released within a month.
Who it applies to
Platforms and intermediaries operating in India; those that offer tools for creating AI-generated content, and large social media platforms for user uploads, must label it. Personal-data use is governed by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act.
Penalties
No AI-specific penalty regime; enforcement runs through IT law and data-protection law.
Common questions
Does India have a comprehensive AI law?
What are the penalties for AI violations in India?
Who does AI regulation in India apply to?
Artificial Intelligence Regulations, "AI Regulation in India," reviewed October 26, 2026, https://artificialintelligenceregulations.com/jurisdictions/india.html.
Entries state the position as of the review date and link to the primary text for verification.