India Unveils Techno-Legal Framework to Embed Governance Into AI Systems by Design
India has outlined a new approach to artificial intelligence governance with the release of a white paper titled “Strengthening AI Governance Through Techno-Legal Framework,” published by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) in January 2026.
Overview of the Framework
The white paper presents a techno-legal model for AI governance, integrating legal safeguards, technical controls, and institutional mechanisms directly into the design and deployment of AI systems. Rather than proposing a standalone AI law, the framework builds on existing legislation such as the Information Technology Act 2000, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, and sector-specific regulations, while embedding compliance into system architecture by design.
Key Objectives
Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood stated that the approach aims to ensure that governance is not treated as an afterthought. Legal requirements and technical enforcement tools—such as privacy-enhancing technologies, model audits, and AI impact assessments—are intended to function across the full AI lifecycle, from data collection and model training to inference and agentic AI systems.
Responsible AI by Design
The document emphasizes “Responsible AI by Design” and outlines five lifecycle stages:
- Data Collection
- Data-in-Use Protection
- AI Training and Model Assessment
- Safe AI Inference
- Trusted Agents
At each stage, the framework identifies risks related to privacy, security, fairness, intellectual property, and safety, alongside proposed mitigation controls.
Institutional Coordination
The white paper calls for strengthened institutional coordination through mechanisms such as an AI Governance Group (AIGG), a Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC), and an AI Safety Institute (AISI). It proposes a national AI incident database to track and analyze harms, and encourages voluntary industry commitments supported by incentives.
Conclusion
Positioned as part of India’s broader AI Policy Priorities White Paper Series, the document frames the techno-legal approach as a pro-innovation model designed to balance economic growth, constitutional rights, and global leadership in trusted AI governance.
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If you’re concerned or have questions about how to navigate the global AI regulatory landscape, don’t hesitate to reach out to BABL AI. Their Audit Experts can offer valuable insight and ensure you’re informed and compliant.
