Archive · 22 Jan 2026
India's AI Governance Framework
India has proposed new rules for AI.
These rules would let AI companies use internet content to train their systems without asking for permission first, but they would have to pay money later.
Some people think this is good because it helps AI companies grow and also pays creators.
Others think it's bad because it changes the rules of copyright and might not protect creators' rights fairly.
The rules also have to follow international laws and make sure everyone gets a fair share of the money.
Some people worry that big AI companies will benefit more than small creators.
The rules are still being discussed, and people are trying to find the best way to balance everything.
Additionally, India is adopting a careful approach to AI governance to prevent harms like deepfakes and digital frauds.
Trust is seen as the key to the future success of the tech industry.
India proposes a blanket licensing mechanism for AI training on internet-accessible materials with statutory royalties.
The proposal aims to balance the interests of copyright owners and AI platforms while ensuring economic compensation for rights-holders.
Critics argue the framework alters fundamental copyright norms and may violate constitutional and international obligations.
Deferred royalty obligations until commercialization support nascent AI platforms but may recreate access asymmetries.
The governance body would include representatives from copyright collection societies, but concerns remain about fair representation and the protection of authors' moral rights.
- Who
- The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, copyright owners, AI platforms, authors, and Nasscom Vice President of Public Policy, Ashish Aggarwal.
- What
- A proposal for a blanket licensing mechanism for AI training on internet-accessible materials with statutory royalties and a discussion on AI governance.
- When
- Published on January 21, 2026, and discussed on January 22, 2026.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- To balance the interests of copyright owners and the imperatives of artificial intelligence platforms while ensuring economic compensation for rights-holders and to tackle deepfakes, digital frauds, and other user harms.
- Proposal
- Blanket licensing mechanism for AI training on internet-accessible materials with statutory royalties.
- Constitutional Concerns
- Potential violation of fundamental rights to speech, expression, and trade under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(g).
- International Obligations
- Risk of violating the Berne Convention's limitations on authors' exclusive rights.
- Payment Mechanism
- Deferred royalty obligations until commercialization to support nascent AI platforms.
- Governance Body
- Inclusion of representatives from copyright collection societies.
- Moral Rights
- Concerns over the protection of authors' moral rights, including attribution and integrity.
- Structural Reform
- Opportunity to reaffirm consent as the organising principle and ensure proportionality in rights limitations.
- Population
- 1.4 billion people with a diverse, heterogeneous population.
- Technology-Led Guardrails
- Emphasis on setting technology-led guardrails to prevent user harms.
- Consent Layer
- Strong, workable, scalable consent layer for citizens to exercise effectively.
Sources
Before AI Summit, an ethics checklist
AI a key enabler for next phase of Indias telecom evolution: TRAI Chief
The copyright divide and Generative AI
AI, telecom infra vital for each other, concerns remain on AI-based system's impact: Trai Chair
Reforming the judiciary
AI, telecom infra vital for each other, concerns remain on AI-based system's impact: TRAI Chair
AI is now a foundation of governance and growth, says Nasscom’s Rajesh Nambiar
