Parliament Question: Promotion of sustainable and responsible development of AI

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2471 TO BE ANSWERED ON: 13.03.2026 PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE AND RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT OF AI 2471. SMT. SANGEETA YADAV: Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state: (a) whether Government is promoting sustainable and responsible development of Artificial Intelligence (AI); (b) whether guidelines or studies are being undertaken to encourage energy-efficient AI models and computing practices; (c) whether industry, startups and research institutions are being sensitised in this regard along with misuse of AI against women; (d) whether such initiatives form part of national digital programmes; and (e) the manner in which these measures support inclusive and trustworthy digital growth? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA) (a) to (e): In line with Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision, the Government is making technology accessible to all. The focus is on to make technology accessible to all, align AI with real-world needs and use it to improve lives across sectors. The Government is committed to promoting the sustainable, safe and responsible development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country. The IndiaAI Mission, approved by the Government, provides a comprehensive framework to strengthen the AI ecosystem in India while ensuring responsible innovation, energy-efficient computing practices, and inclusive digital growth. India AI Governance Guidelines The India AI Governance Guidelines provides a comprehensive national framework to ensure the safe, responsible, and inclusive development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence in the country. The guidelines emphasise human-centric AI development and provide a comprehensive governance framework. India - AI Impact Summit 2026India hosted the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 from 16–21 February 2026 at New Delhi. For the first time, the global AI summit series took place in the Global South. The shift signals a broader move toward a more inclusive global AI dialogue. During the Summit, discussions were revolved around seven thematic “Chakras”: Human Capital, Inclusion, Safe & Trusted AI, Resilience, Innovation and Efficiency, Democratizing AI Resources, and AI for Economic Development and Social Good. The Safe & Trusted AI Working Group released a Guidance Note on AI Governance, which serves as a flexible and non-prescriptive reference framework to assist governments in designing or strengthening national AI governance systems while balancing innovation, safety, and public interest. The Working Group also introduced a framework for a globally accessible Trusted AI Commons, a collaborative platform providing open tools for AI safety, testing, and evaluation, particularly benefiting developing economies through capacity-building, knowledge sharing, and technical assistance. The Resilience, Innovation and Efficiency Working Group emphasised that efficient AI systems are essential for long-term resilience, inclusion, and sustainable technological development. It released two outputs: the Voluntary Guiding Principles on Resilient, Efficient and Innovative AI and a Playbook for Advancing Resilient AI Infrastructure. The government has periodically issued advisories to identify misinformation and deepfakes and to remove them within the stipulated time. To address emerging risks such as misinformation, deepfakes and online harms, the Government has strengthened the due diligence framework under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, including provisions relating to synthetically generated information. National Commission for Women (NCW) is running an AI Literacy Program for Women titled as “Yashoda AI” since May, 2025 with an objective to equip women in the Country with AI literacy. It aims to enhance digital inclusion and empower them in areas of cyber security, digital privacy and safe online practices. Under this program, about 2500 women from rural and semi-urban locations, including Members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Local elected representatives micro- entrepreneurs, faculty & students, police officers, Government officials, etc. have been imparted training till date. These measures promote inclusive and trustworthy digital growth by addressing both access and assurance: digital inclusion through capacity-building and digital trust through safety and governance frameworks. This balanced approach ensures that India’s expansion in AI and digital technologies remains responsible, secure, and accessible to all sections of society. *******