MeitY Proposes India’s First Rules to Govern AI and Synthetic Data

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has released draft amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, marking India’s first comprehensive effort to regulate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and synthetic data. The move comes amid growing global concerns over deepfakes, misinformation, and the ethical use of AI-generated content.

The proposed rules introduce a framework to ensure accountability, transparency, and user safety in AI deployment. Platforms and intermediaries using AI systems must now label synthetic or AI-generated content, prevent the spread of deepfakes, and create mechanisms for user consent, disclosure, and grievance redressal. Developers and deployers of AI models will be required to disclose training data sources, conduct periodic risk assessments, and adopt AI safety and trust protocols to mitigate potential misuse.

To oversee this evolving ecosystem, the draft also proposes the establishment of an AI Advisory Council, comprising domain experts, policymakers, and industry leaders. This body will advise on ethical standards, compliance, and responsible innovation practices.

The amendments reflect India’s ambition to lead with a “Responsible AI for All” approach — balancing innovation with regulation. They also align India’s digital governance strategy with international AI safety principles under discussion at global forums such as the G20 and OECD.

By introducing these provisions, MeitY seeks to create an enabling environment where trust, transparency, and innovation coexist, while addressing emerging risks from unregulated AI applications. The government has invited public feedback on the draft before finalizing the rules, signaling a collaborative approach to building a safe and ethical AI ecosystem.

Once implemented, the framework will serve as a cornerstone for India’s AI governance, setting clear boundaries for synthetic content and ensuring technology serves people — not the other way around.