Centre Sets Up AI Governance Body To Align Policy Across Ministries

The Centre has set up a new high-level body to take charge of how India governs AI, as it looks to tighten oversight and bring more coordination to policymaking in the space.

Called the AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG), the body will be chaired by union electronics and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, with minister of state Jitin Prasada as vice chairperson.

It will act as the government’s top decision-making group on AI policy, bringing together key ministries, regulators and advisors under one framework.

The move follows recommendations in the government’s AI governance guidelines and the Economic Survey, both of which flagged the need for a central authority to align how different arms of the government approach AI. 

The AIGEG will include key stakeholders such as the principal scientific advisor, chief economic advisor, CEO of NITI Aayog, and secretaries from departments like telecommunications, economic affairs and science and technology. A representative from the National Security Council Secretariat will also be part of the body.

The AIGEG will be supported by a technology and policy expert committee, which will advise on global AI developments, emerging risks and regulatory priorities.

At its core, the AIGEG has been tasked with aligning AI policy across ministries, reviewing existing regulatory frameworks and issuing guidelines to ensure companies comply with Indian laws. It will also examine emerging risks, identify gaps in regulation and assess the need for legal changes, while encouraging responsible innovation and wider adoption of AI across sectors.

In addition, the group will work with industry stakeholders to draw up a roadmap for AI deployment over the next decade. This will include assessing the impact on jobs, tracking automation trends and understanding regional differences. It will also classify AI use cases based on readiness and outline strategies to manage workforce transitions.

This comes at a time when the advances and rapid adoption of AI have raised concerns on the impact on jobs. Across the globe, companies are slashing roles for higher efficiency and automation, reshaping the workforce.

Besides, AI regulations are another point of contention, with the government particularly concerned about AI-generated content. To address this, the Centre amended the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, bringing AI-generated content within regulatory ambit. The updated rules, which came into effect on February 20, 2026, define “synthetically generated information” and require platforms to clearly label such content.

Earlier, the government was reportedly also considering expanding powers under Section 69A of the IT Act to allow ministries such as home affairs, external affairs, defence and information and broadcasting to issue content blocking orders, a function currently limited to the IT ministry. If approved, platforms like Instagram, Facebook and YouTube could receive takedown directives from multiple departments. 

In March, the electronics and information technology ministry (MeitY) also moved to tighten compliance timelines for tech giants such as Google, Meta and X. The proposed changes, issued under Section 87 of the IT Act, mandate that intermediaries comply with all directives, advisories and guidelines related to the implementation of these rules.

The framework also seeks to strengthen content takedown requirements. Platforms hosting content that could be used to commit unlawful acts may be required to remove it within three hours of receiving directions from the government.

Separately, MeitY has extended the deadline for stakeholders to submit feedback on the draft amendments. Comments can now be submitted until April 29, instead of the earlier April 12 deadline.

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