India is preparing to set out how it will regulate artificial intelligence. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on October 8, 2026 that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will release a consultation paper on AI regulation next month, with AI safety and deepfakes at the top of the agenda. The announcement signals a notable shift for a government that has long preferred a light-touch approach to the technology.
"The Time Has Come"
Vaishnaw made the remarks to reporters after the launch of the World Bank's AI Report 2026, according to BusinessToday and The Tribune. "The time has come for AI regulation," he said, pointing to growing concerns over security risks, manipulated media and broader cybersecurity threats.
He indicated that the core policy direction has already been settled internally. "A decision has been made on how AI will be regulated in the future, and a consultation paper will be released next month," the minister said.
Once public feedback is gathered, the paper is expected to form the foundation for future rules across sectors, giving companies clarity on expectations before any enforceable obligations follow.
What the Paper Will Cover
Based on the minister's comments, the consultation will focus on several pillars:
- AI safety: addressing safety hazards and cybersecurity threats arising from AI systems.
- Deepfakes: curbing synthetic and manipulated media that can mislead the public.
- AI-linked harms: including the potential psychological impact of AI on users.
- A human-first approach to deploying the technology.
- Skilling: preparing India's workforce for an AI-driven economy.
Deepfakes received particular emphasis. Vaishnaw described them as a nuisance capable of causing significant problems in society, warning that as their quality improves they can mislead people and spread false narratives that may lead to harmful actions.
A Techno-Legal Model, With Industry Carrying the Load
Rather than relying on legislation alone, Vaishnaw argued that AI governance requires a combination of technology and regulation. "We have to bring a techno-legal solution," he said, stressing that stakeholders would need to be brought on board.
He was also clear about where accountability would sit. "Bulk of the responsibility will have to be taken by the industry," the minister said. That suggests the framework may lean on obligations for developers and platforms, such as detection, labelling and safeguards, rather than placing the burden primarily on users or regulators.
The approach builds on existing duties under India's Information Technology Rules, 2021. MeitY has already consulted on amendments covering synthetically generated information, including deepfakes, so the upcoming paper is expected to extend and formalise that work into a broader AI framework.
A Change in Tone From MeitY
The announcement marks an evolution in New Delhi's stance. As MediaNama notes, MeitY has historically been reluctant to regulate AI, preferring to avoid rules that might slow innovation in one of the world's largest digital markets. Over recent months, however, both Vaishnaw and MeitY Secretary S Krishnan have increasingly spoken about the need for AI regulation.
At the same event, Vaishnaw said an industry suggestion to introduce an AI-based curriculum for students and young people has been forwarded to the Ministry of Education.
Why It Matters
India is one of the world's largest and fastest-growing markets for AI products, and its regulatory choices will affect global model developers, domestic startups and hundreds of millions of users. The timing is also significant: governments worldwide are taking divergent paths.
- United States: the federal government has pushed to preempt state AI laws, even as states such as California, Colorado and Connecticut enact their own rules.
- European Union: the AI Act is being phased in, with key milestones in 2027 and 2028.
- India: now appears to be charting a middle path, combining consultation-led rulemaking with technical tools and industry responsibility.
For businesses operating in India, the key questions will be how obligations are scaled for startups versus large platforms, what deepfake detection and labelling requirements look like, and how the framework interacts with existing IT Rules and the country's data protection regime.
India's shift from reluctance to regulation shows that deepfakes and AI safety have moved from niche concerns to mainstream policy priorities.
Industry, civil society and researchers should prepare to engage when the paper is published, as the consultation window will likely shape the contours of India's AI governance for years to come.
