India is advancing its regulatory framework on digital finance and AI governance with a series of significant policy measures introduced in late 2025. These developments reflect a broader governmental effort to balance innovation with emerging risks in the fast-evolving tech landscape.

In November 2025, India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched its Artificial Intelligence Governance Guidelines, which mark a foundational step by setting out a non-binding, principles-based framework for AI development and use. The guidelines are designed to be "balanced, agile, flexible and pro-innovation," aiming to cultivate safe, trusted, and inclusive AI technologies without enacting a standalone AI Act. Instead, the framework encourages addressing AI-related risks within existing legal and institutional systems, signalling a pragmatic approach to governance that seeks to foster innovation while mitigating harm.

Complementing this, earlier in October, the Indian government proposed stringent rules targeting the misuse of AI-generated content. These rules mandate that AI and social media platforms label AI-generated visual media with a marker covering at least 10% of the image, and audio clips must carry an identifier during the first 10% of playback. Additionally, users must declare if their content is AI-generated, and companies are required to implement technical verification systems. This measure is primarily aimed at curbing the proliferation of deepfakes and misinformation, which have raised concerns about potential impacts on elections, individual impersonations, and wider social discord.

Beyond AI content regulation, India has also strengthened its data privacy regime in alignment with international standards. In November 2025, new rules were implemented to bolster the enforcement of the 2023 Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) law. These regulations impose tighter restrictions on data collection by major technology companies such as Meta, Google, and OpenAI, limiting personal data gathering strictly to what is necessary for a defined purpose. Firms are now required to provide clear justifications for data collection, offer individuals the option to opt out, and promptly inform users of data breaches. This policy enhancement underscores India’s commitment to improving data privacy protections amid the growing integration of AI technologies.

Collectively, these regulatory interventions indicate India's strategic direction in digital finance and AI governance: fostering innovation while instituting robust safeguards. The approach is reflective of global trends, with parallels to the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other international frameworks, while also tailored to the specific challenges and opportunities in the Indian context.

As these policies take effect, stakeholders in technology and finance sectors within India and beyond will need to closely monitor compliance requirements and evolving regulatory expectations to navigate this dynamic landscape effectively.

📌 Reference Map:

  • [1] (Bloomberg) - Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, Paragraph 4
  • [2] (Reuters) - Paragraph 2
  • [3] to [7] (Reuters) - Paragraph 3

Source: Noah Wire Services