India plans consultation on AI legislation

The Centre is preparing a consultation paper on artificial intelligence and plans to issue it in the coming weeks, Vaishnaw said.[1][2] The consultation process is intended to help frame legislation on AI.[2] The announcement sets out a forthcoming opportunity to comment, rather than details of proposed legal provisions: the evidence provided does not specify draft rules, a timetable beyond the coming weeks, or when legislation might follow.[1][2]

Vaishnaw said the paper would seek input from society, citizens, industries and stakeholders.[1] He also said it would incorporate contributions from subject matter experts and common citizens, and that the government wants to hear from people who use AI.[1][2] This points to a consultation intended to include both specialist and public perspectives.[1] The available information does not give a submission method, deadline or details about how the government will assess or publish responses.[1]

Vaishnaw said AI risks had crossed a threshold that made a law and new regulations necessary, and said harms from AI could be regulated.[2] He said the race for AI innovation should be moderated by concern for human safety, describing AI as human-first and human-centric.[1] He also said control over AI agents, models, outcomes and processes should remain in human hands, and called for an equivalent of a mechanism to stop AI systems if they go out of control.[1] The paper’s specific proposals have not been detailed in the evidence.[1][2]

Vaishnaw said industry had adopted AI aggressively and cited banks, manufacturing, services, finance and insurance as sectors rapidly using it.[1] He spoke at the NDTV World Summit 2026, where he said the paper would incorporate expert and citizen input.[1] His remarks come amid a global debate over balancing AI’s economic opportunities with safety and human-control concerns.[1] For organisations using AI, the consultation could offer a chance to raise practical concerns, though the evidence does not specify what obligations any eventual law might impose.[2][1]