Digital dystopia where humans serve algorithms or a humane society where technology serves the people, questions VP VP calls for right to explanation, right to contest automated decisions for citizen protection
Need the right balance between regulating artificial intelligence and fostering innovation, underlines VP
VP calls for independent and accountable National Artificial Intelligence Authority
Consent that is not free is no consent in law; Consent cannot be buried in opaque and abstruse terms of service-VP
AI opacity challenges legal transparency and accountability principles-VP
We must assert India’s cyber sovereignty-VP
Posted On: 04 APR 2025 8:52PM by PIB Delhi
The Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today emphasised on the need for regulation for AI while maintaining the right balance between regulation and fostering innovation. The Vice-President today underscored that, “ Regulation of AI will determine the kind of society we aspire to be. It has become a most important factor where we will be ! Do we wish to become a digital dystopia where humans serve algorithms or a humane Indian society where technology serves the people? The choice is ours. The choice is well known.”
To regulate something as dynamic as Artificial Intelligence, we need an agile and empowered institutional framework.
A National Artificial Intelligence Authority or Commission that is independent but accountable with representation from government, industry, academia, and civil… pic.twitter.com/lmkejkCee8
Addressing the gathering at the release of the book ‘AI on Trial’ authored by Hon’ble member of Rajya Sabha, Shri Sujeet Kumar at Vice-President’s Enclave today, Shri Dhankhar stated, “Regulating Artificial Intelligence is daunting, frightening, but imperative. Right balance will have to be struck between regulating artificial intelligence and fostering innovation. This is fundamental. Overregulation can choke like over-disciplining a child. We don’t have to impede the spirit of entrepreneurship. But at the same time, we have to be extremely cognizant of the evil effects. Under regulation can endanger public safety, perpetuate bias and erode trust.”
Hon’ble Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar launched the book “AI on Trial”, authored by Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Shri Sujeet Kumar Ji, and Shri Tauseef Alam Ji, at Vice-President’s Enclave today. @SujeetKOfficial#AIonTrial@SmtSudhaMurty… pic.twitter.com/o9fMS9YHy8
The impact of Artificial Intelligence on ordinary citizens must be at the heart of AI regulatory regime.
We need enforceable rights to protect citizens from AI such as the right to explanation, the right to contest automated decisions. The system must provide automatic, inbuilt… pic.twitter.com/7XkWTTMUQk
“……to regulate something that is as dynamic as artificial intelligence, we need an agile and empowered institutional framework. A national artificial intelligence authority or commission, independent but accountable with representation from government, industry, academia, and civil society could serve as a think tank. We must therefore design regulation as a scaffold, not a cage. Our goal should be to enable a framework where responsible innovation thrives, and sinister designs, pernicious designs, are neutralised. A risk-based, sector-specific, and principle-driven approach may serve us well in this regard. For instance, the level of scrutiny required for AI used in medical diagnostics should differ from the Artificial Intelligence creating social media feeds……impact of artificial intelligence on ordinary citizens must be at the heart of regulatory regime. An ordinary person will not be able to find solutions on his own. The system must provide automatic, inbuilt relief to ordinary citizens. To protect our citizens from the hazards of artificial intelligence, we need enforceable rights, such as right to explanation, the right to contest automated decisions. Decisions are automated. How to contest them, we are not aware and the right to opt out of algorithmic processing, especially when decisions impact livelihoods, liberty, and dignity.
”, he added.
One of the greatest challenges that we face today is that every word spoken by a Member of Parliament has constitutional immunity from civil and criminal prosecution, even if the observations are slanderous, malicious, defamatory, damaging reputations of people, setting… pic.twitter.com/1uumJ4H4BK
“..we have to be extremely wary also. AI, the genie is out of the bottle, and it can be extremely destructive. It can create havoc if not regulated. In the age of deep fakes, working of Deep State, wokeism, these menacing trends can get wings if this genie of Artificial Intelligence is not regulated. To put it for young minds, a nuclear power can give you energy. Nuclear power can lighten houses, run industry, but it can also be destructive, and therefore, we have both the possibilities before us”, he cautioned.
In his address he further stated, “The regulation of artificial intelligence must be very transparent. It must go hand in hand with re-skilling and workforce planning. As artificial intelligence displaces certain tasks, it will. Because it has come to your house, come to your office. It does jobs sometimes better than normal resource and then an impression is gathered. Are we risking the jobs of people who work? Maybe in some situations…..this requires that we must invest very heavily in education, vocational training, digital literacy, particularly for those who are marginalised, who are vulnerable, who need hand-holding situations”.
Underlining the importance of cyber sovereignty, he stated, “We must assert India’s cyber sovereignty as much as we do the sovereignty understood in common parlance but we have to be aligned to global standards. There can be no standalone activity in such kind of situations. There will have to be global convergence. All stakeholders will have to come on one platform so that we have a global rule-based order in the field of Artificial Intelligence.”
Access to Judiciary is a Fundamental Right.
When it comes to challenges to Fundamental Rights, the doors of the highest court are open under Article 32.
But what we have seen off-late, access to judiciary has been weaponized by forces in a systemic matter fueled by extra legal… pic.twitter.com/Su12qYk3En
Talking about the ramifications of AI in the legal domain, Shri Dhankhar stated, “Artificial intelligence has generated a compulsive scenario for us. It has forced us to re-examine existing jurisprudence. Traditional legal concepts like liability, or even personhood come under pressure when actions are carried out by autonomous systems. Artificial intelligence opacity challenges legal transparency and accountability principles. Delegating legal interpretation to unexplainable systems undermines judicial trust…..If we use current legal artificial intelligence, we find one deficiency. It lacks comprehensive regulation and oversight. There is urgent need for standards and safeguards to prevent consequences of unregulated artificial intelligence. Debate continues all over, whether artificial intelligence promotes legal consistency or perpetuates historical biases.…Justice is at the risk, and the risk is great, justice at risk when algorithms lacking human qualities influence law, judgments can’t be robotised. There can be no artificial intelligence replication. Sometimes the distinction is too fine to be detected even by artificial intelligence. It is the brain of the judge, the discerning brain, that finds a resolution.”
India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act is a landmark step, but it now has to evolve in tandem with Artificial Intelligence regulation.
Consent must be meaningful. Those who are lawyers know it, consent that is not free is no consent in law. And free means real freedom to… pic.twitter.com/bTUKeMuwcT
Emphasising on the significance of meaningful consent, Shri Dhankhar stated,“ Our Digital Personal Data Protection Act is a landmark step, but it now has to evolve in tandem with artificial intelligence regulation. Consent must be meaningful, those who are lawyers know it. A consent that is not free is no consent in law and free means real freedom to give your consent. Consent cannot be buried in opaque and abstruse terms of service. I am sometimes surprised when I use my mobile phone, go to some application, there is pressure, I agree. Now in utter helplessness, you concede a very personal ground. Unknowingly, you are lured or forced otherwise, the utilisation doesn’t fructify with ease. Consent cannot be in opaque and abstruse terms of service. Anonymisation, data minimisation, and purpose limitation must be rigorously enforced.”
Shri Sujeet Kumar, MP, Rajya Sabha; Smt. Sudha Murthy, MP, Rajya Sabha; Smt. Rekha Sharma, MP, Rajya Sabha; Shri Sunil Kumar Gupta, Secretary to the Vice-President of India; and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Steel is a deregulated sector and the government acts as a facilitator by creating a conducive policy environment for the development of steel sector in the country. The decision regarding import and export are taken by steel companies based on techno-commercial considerations and market dynamics.
Government has taken steps to ensure that only quality steel is produced in the country or imported from outside. In this direction, 151 BIS standards have been notified and have been covered by Quality Control Orders (QCOs) by Ministry of Steel to ensure that only quality steel is made available to the end users & the public at large.
The Government has taken following steps to encourage domestic steel production:-
Domestically Manufactured Iron & Steel Products (DMI&SP) Policy for promoting ‘Made in India’ steel for Government procurement.
Implementation of Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Specialty Steel to promote the manufacturing of ‘Specialty Steel’ within the country and reduce imports by attracting capital investments.
Country-wise and Year-wise import of finished Steel during last five year
IMPORT OF FINISHED STEEL (‘000 tonnes)
Country
2019-20
2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24
ARGENTINA
26
7
1
0
0
AUSTRALIA
4
2
1
0
1
AUSTRIA
13
71
9
10
52
BAHARAIN
10
14
5
1
3
BELGIUM
74
56
28
33
17
BRAZIL
23
5
6
3
1
CANADA
20
17
10
11
6
CHINA
1207
843
833
1407
2687
CZECH REP
2
0
1
2
4
DENMARK
3
2
2
1
1
FINLAND
9
5
5
7
6
FRANCE
56
121
58
77
15
GERMANY
135
146
151
112
80
INDONESIA
464
79
241
148
94
ITALY
81
33
34
31
23
JAPAN
1018
560
664
841
1274
KAZAKHSTAN
3
11
1
6
0
KOREA
2687
1947
2009
2228
2670
KUWAIT
8
3
3
3
9
MALAYSIA
51
42
8
20
6
NEPAL
6
6
9
59
120
NETHERLANDS
11
20
13
4
3
NEWZELAND
1
1
0
1
1
OMAN
4
12
5
7
11
POLAND
8
5
7
6
3
PORTUGAL
2
1
2
2
0
ROMANIA
3
1
1
2
17
RUSSIA
71
63
55
313
53
SAUDI ARABIA
8
36
14
9
39
SINGAPORE
139
43
8
6
4
SLOVENIA
11
7
6
4
1
SOUTH AFRICA
22
15
8
5
7
SPAIN
32
20
27
21
5
SWEDEN
23
27
39
48
20
SWITZERLAND
1
1
1
1
1
TAIWAN
165
186
194
163
185
THAILAND
52
50
25
53
58
TURKEY
5
8
2
3
3
U.K.
17
11
6
5
4
UAE
21
21
24
12
52
UKRAINE
84
31
22
7
1
USA
65
54
29
17
20
VIETNAM
86
133
75
320
737
OTHERS
39
39
26
11
27
TOTAL
6768
4752
4669
6022
8320
Source: Joint Plant Committee (JPC)
This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Shri Sunil Kumar Gupta, his description goes beyond an IAS officer of 1987 batch. He’s an alumnus of IIT Kanpur. Shri Sujeet Kumar, a member of the Upper House, the Council of States, House of Elders, popularly known as Rajya Sabha. I have had the good occasion and benefit to know the Hon’ble Member of Parliament inside out. He’s a lawyer, he’s an academician, he’s a positive thinker, he acts subterranean, but makes very effective contribution in the Council of States, and equally impactful contribution as part of international delegation of Bharat to global institutions.
I had the good fortune to interact with him briefly while he was invited to the banquet when we had the presence of Chilean president a decade younger to you. He’s 49, the president of Chile happens to be about 39. I must recognise a very distinguished presence of Smt. Sudha Murthy, has been accoladed for her simplicity, contribution to society, and captivating smile, ever positive. I remember in Rajya Sabha when the time came for her to ask a supplementary, it was 12 noon, which means Question Hour starts that was Zero Hour. I said, I’ll give you precedence.
A veteran member reacted, she is always in public domain. I said, well earned, well deserved, public spirited, for a public cause. We had the occasion also, me and Dr. Sudesh Dhankhar, when we were at the coronation of King Charles in London in that ceremony, we found a slim, simple looking girl coming to us and discovered she was then a spouse of the Prime Minister of UK, her son-in-law, and it was her daughter.
So the traditions of what we say, sanskar, rightly filtered to the next generation. Shri Haris Beeran, he shares one thing in common with Sudha Ji, a charming smile. Rekha Sharma recently became a member of Rajya Sabha from the state of Haryana, but has all India perspective, having occupied a very significant position of Chairperson of National Women’s Commission.
Mithlesh Kumar, well grounded to real politics, and also his presence at this function reveals he is very forward looking. Well, these constitute the, if I may say, contingent from the Upper House. We are enormously benefited by Tapir Gao, a member in the House of People, popularly known as Lok Sabha, from the state of Arunachal. Me and Dr. Sudesh Dhankar had the occasion to attend a very important programme just a month or two back in his state, a great state, a state with many tribes, culture and his colleague, Kiren Rijiju Ji is our minister for Minority Affairs.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is for the first time in this country that a person professing Buddhism is a Cabinet Minister that indicates our inclusive approach. The world must learn from India, Bharat, the concept of inclusivity. Yet, some try to impart lessons to us. It does happen on occasions that those who are to learn quickly become your teachers. But then, they learn fast if they are in positive frame.
Shri Pradeep Gandhi, I share something very different with him. He’s an ex-MP, I’m also one. But I am an ex-MP with a difference. My category of MPs in 89 to 91, 96 to 97, 98. axed-MP, we did not have the occasion to complete our term. We have amongst us Shri Rajit Punhani, an IAS officer of 1991 batch, Secretary to the Council of States, alumnus of Doon School, alumnus of St. Stephen’s College, President of the Union of St. Stephen’s, Harvard. IIM Bangalore, and he’s from the State of Bihar.
I must commend his role in human resource transformation in Rajya Sabha, and for crafting a very innovative skill for Rajya Sabha interns. Alongside, Sumant Narain, another Harvard product, Indian Audits and Accounts Service. We have Mahaveer Singhvi, Indian Foreign Service.
We have a journalist here who is more seen on television, like some of our parliamentarians. Because our parliamentarians are drawn from my one-time fraternity. I say one-time fraternity because, when I took oath of office of Governor of the State of West Bengal, my son as a senior advocate had to be suspended. So, I parted company with the jealous mistress. I see him. He’s extremely fond of young lawyers and promoting them on television.
There’s another journalist also, nearly having the same size as he has, with a little more height. I was having you in mind. Then, of course, Tosif Alam, the co-author. Well, I greet each and everyone present in this hall. But my real greetings to team Sujeet Kumar.
Ladies and gentlemen, I was extremely, all my life, benefited from intelligence. That intelligence, I call it SDI, Sudesh Dhankar Intelligence. That intelligence has always held me in good state, generating in me transparency, accountability, and has a very strong sense of disciplining. I dare not reveal the rest of it.
AI on Trial is a fascinating, illuminating book on a subject of huge contemporaneous relevance. Artificial intelligence invasion, incursion in our daily life is being felt by all of us. Its seismic impact is on every part of our activity. Disruptive technologies, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, blockchain, machine learning, used to be just words but now, artificial intelligence is the buzzword. On a lighter note, let me tell you, a member of the Parliament from journalistic category, did not reflect due diligence while sending a notice to get suspension of the working of the house, so that her subject, I have revealed the gender inadvertently, gets precedence. She sent it on a particular date and wanted suspension of the house that had already taken place five days ago.
I lamented that even artificial intelligence cannot help me to suspend which has already fructified but we never know, there may be a time when artificial intelligence couldn’t go that far also. While I congratulate the authors for their dedication to this critical field and for contributing in an area that will define not only our economic trajectory, in a sense guide our ethical compass for decades to come, but also impacts every societal activity. Artificial intelligence has got such fast traction. It is known to one and all, be it a village, be it semi-urban, urban, or highly urbanised areas, the meadows. It has agitated our minds, also generated concerns but ladies and gentlemen, let me remind you, last 10 years, India is defined as the nation that has had the highest growth amongst large nations.
Its exponential economic upsurge, phenomenal infrastructure growth have been accoladed by global institutions like the IMF and the World Bank. But the greatest certification has emanated from global institutions in respect of technological penetration. India’s landscape is now dotted with technological footprint everywhere and that is why the World Bank President reflected what India has achieved in technologically spread out in about six years that is not possible even in four decades.
We as a Nation have tested accessibility of technology and revealed to the world high degree of adaptability resulting in transparency, accountability of services. Youngsters would not even know that to pay an electricity bill or a water bill or a telephone bill. One was compelled to take a day’s leave. The queue was long. Getting a railway ticket or a platform ticket. All this is now in your hand, your mobile. Our mobile coverage, I can say, is reaching nearly saturation point.
The visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi was reflected. When he thought of banking inclusion and brought about 550 million people, mostly in the villages, into banking service industry. In the shortest time that has stood us in good state during COVID. And also, imagine a Nation where farmers, hundred million in number, get three times a year, direct transfer into their bank accounts but we have to be extremely worry also. AI, the gene, is out of the bottle and it can be extremely destructive. It can create havoc if not regulated, in the age of defects, working of deep state, wokeism. These menacing trends can get wings if this gene of artificial intelligence is not regulated.
To put it for young minds, a nuclear power can give you energy. Nuclear power can lighten houses, run industry but it can also be destructive. Therefore, we have both the possibilities before us. This calls for something on which the book has deeply focused. The author, Shri Sujeet Kumar, has given illustrations. If you see one of the most widely propagated on social media, one was taking a route using artificial intelligence but the road was broken in between. AI did not show it and it was a disaster.
It can be a challenge to nations, organised societies, because it is a power that is now available to all. India, being the fastest growing country in the last 10 years, is no longer a nation with a potential. Our objective is well set out to be a developed nation by 2047, if not before. And that requires for us to harness every available area and vista of opportunity because our income has to go eightfold per capita and that being the situation, we must look to harness artificial intelligence for our benefit and that surely can be done.
I would say India is amongst the few nations in the world that have focused on this aspect, much before others. But we are the most populous country, largest, oldest, most vibrant democracy. Regulating artificial intelligence is daunting, frightening, but imperative. Right balance will have to be struck between regulating artificial intelligence and fostering innovation, this is fundamental. Overregulation can choke like over disciplining a child. We don’t have to impede the spirit of entrepreneurship but at the same time, we have to be extremely cognisant of the evil effects. Underregulation can endanger public safety, perpetuate bias, and erode trust.
The author in his address had reflected on these problems. One of the greatest challenges that we face these days is, and let me come to the institution which I preside, every word is spoken in the Council of States by a member of Parliament. The Member of Parliament has the immunity from civil prosecution, criminal prosecution. The constitutional protection given to the member, even if the observations are slanderous, malicious, defamatory, damaging reputations of people, setting narratives that are anti-national, not factually well-premised, no citizen of the country can take action. Therefore, action has to be taken by the Council of States, self-regulation. But then, the quickest we can do is, if an Hon’ble Member makes an objectionable observation, it can be expunged. That is expunged only from the record. That is expunged only for posterity. But it gets the widest traction, how to deal with it.
I have tasked a committee headed by a senior parliamentarian, Ghanshyam Tiwari Ji. He heads a committee on ethics, to devise ways and means. One is counselling members. Secondly, calling upon the political parties that put their people in these institutions to discipline them, sensitise them but the critical question is, how do we save the damage? Artificial intelligence has an answer. Machine learning for me, to begin with, was only machine plus learning but it’s a mechanism that can deal with this menace in split seconds. So technology will have to be availed to make things a little more soothing to society.
We must therefore design regulation as a scaffold, not a cage. Our goal should be to enable a framework where responsible innovation thrives and sinister designs, pernicious designs, are neutralised. A risk-based, sector-specific, and principle-driven approach may serve us well in this regard. For instance, the level of scrutiny required for AI used in medical diagnostics should differ from the artificial intelligence creating social media feeds. We must assert India’s cyber sovereignty as much as we do the sovereignty understood in common parlance. But we have to be aligned to global standards. There can be no stand-alone activity in such kind of situations. There will have to be global convergence. All stakeholders will have to come on one platform so that we have a global, rule-based order in the field of artificial intelligence.
India is a unique country, our civilisational depth is more than 5,000 years. Our ethos, our culture, our values, our knowledge is reflected in our Vedas, our epics. India has been a thought leader for centuries. A global centre of culture. Our institutes of excellence were thrown by scholars from all over the world Takshashila, Nalanda, to name only two. They came, gave us much, took away much, shared it, our treasure.
In G20, India has taken a great initiative to generate a global community and that was reflected in India’s G20 motto, “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. It was the vision of the Prime Minister that brought in the fold of G20 nations of the African Union. European Union was already represented. Global South in neglect for quite long. A word not even known to many. But an important segment of countries in global polity and economy was put on the centre stage. We need to work out something where artificial intelligence can be on that level. The first step has been taken through our India Stack Programme. We are making many of our digital governance solutions open source so the journey of other developing nations gets this facility. Most importantly, the impact of artificial intelligence on ordinary citizens must be at the heart of regulatory regime.
An ordinary person will not be able to find solutions on his own. The system must provide automatic, inbuilt relief to ordinary citizens. To protect our citizens from the hazards of artificial intelligence, we need enforceable rights, such as right to explanation, the right to contest automated decisions. Decisions are automated. How to contest them, we are not aware and the right to opt out of algorithmic processing, especially when decisions impact livelihoods, liberty, and dignity.
Artificial Intelligence has generated a compulsive scenario for us. It has forced us to re-examine existing jurisprudence. Traditional legal concepts like liability, or even personhood come under pressure when actions are carried out by autonomous systems. Artificial intelligence opacity challenges legal transparency and accountability principles. Delegating legal interpretation to unexplainable systems undermines judicial trust.
Current legal artificial intelligence use lacks, this use is not complete. If we use current legal artificial intelligence, we find one deficiency. It lacks comprehensive regulation and oversight. There is urgent need for standards and safeguards to prevent consequences of unregulated artificial intelligence. Debate continues to raise all over whether artificial intelligence promotes legal consistency or perpetuates historical biases.
Justice at the risk, and the risk is great, justice at risk when algorithms lacking human qualities influence law, judgments can’t be robotised. There can be no artificial intelligence replication. Sometimes the distinction is too fine to be detected even by artificial intelligence. It is the brain of the judge, the discerning brain, that finds a resolution.
This book, friends, provides a road map for responsible artificial intelligence integration through case studies and regulation proposals. To put it in layman’s language, if you wish to know a gentleman, Google has enough to give you. You can assimilate it, but trust me, you will be ignorant of the person. You have to go much beyond Google, you have to go much beyond artificial intelligence to know the man.
Future of legal artificial intelligence requires deliberate shaping by professionals and policy makers. Friends, if artificial intelligence is not regulated, we will face trial by artificial intelligence. That will be a tough trial. The fundamentals of legal jurisprudence, like opportunity of hearing, a fair process, are its first casualty. Therefore, to prevent that, time is now to focus on ‘Artificial Intelligence on Trial’.
Every person now has power in his hand because of smartphones. Media has come to be defined very differently.
People are increasingly focused. The focus is intense on social media. The news sharing is the fastest on social media but what happens if it is moderated? It is manipulated? It is inspired by interests inimical to Bharat? It is aimed at destroying our constitutional institutions? Let me give you a highly alarmingly concerning aspect.
Access to judiciary is a fundamental right and when it comes to challenge to individual’s fundamental rights, the doors of the highest court are open under Article 32 petitions but what we have seen of late?
Access to judiciary has been weaponised by forces in a systemic manner, fuelled by extra-legal mechanisms, dubiously financed, and the object being to destroy core values of Bharat. We have to be extremely worried.
I must share a deep concern with you, while institutions have to self-regulate themselves but parliamentary institutions and judiciary blossom only when they self-regulate. We must have respect for these institutions’ inter se, and I hold every institution in high regard. But I firmly believe if there is an incursion in the domain of an institution, be it executive, judiciary, or legislature, by another institution, the doctrine of separation of powers will be stressed. The stress will be severe. The consequences may be huge.
Therefore, time has come. These institutions also, one, to apply technology like artificial intelligence to enhance, to secure cutting-edge in their administrative working, and in delivering in their core areas, like judiciary has to deliver through judgments, legislature has to do it through legislation, and holding the executive accountable.
But similarly, and it is undoubtedly a considered proposition, in all democratic nations, executive governance is the only way of life, because people elect their representatives for governance and for legislation but those who have the numbers get into executive seat from governments. If executive function is performed not by the government but by legislature or by judiciary, where is the accountability? Executive governance by another institution other than government is antithetical to our constitutional values.
It is negation of power of the people, ‘We the People’, who gave us this constitution. Therefore, such kind of technologies can really get into even-handedness working, equitable working. The equilibrium can be maintained. I strongly advocate that we must be extremely sensitive to institutional domains. But at the same time, we must have highest regard for our institutions.
We as a nation are proud for our Parliament, that we are proud of our judiciary. We are equally proud of our executive and you have to look back for last 10 years, our performance, and you will know the statement is well thought out, well premised.
I must also advert to another aspect. India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act, much is being talked about it. People are having varying opinions, and that is the essence of democracy. Because a dialogue requires varying opinions. No one can be judgmental that I alone am right in democracy. Our Digital Personal Data Protection Act is a landmark step, but it now has to evolve in tandem with artificial intelligence regulation. Consent must be meaningful, those who are lawyers know it. A consent that is not free is no consent in law. And free means real freedom to give your consent. Consent cannot be buried in opaque and abstruse terms of service. I am sometimes surprised when I use my mobile phone, go to some application, there is pressure, I agree.
Now in utter helplessness, you concede a very personal ground. Unknowingly, you are lured or forced. Otherwise, the utilisation doesn’t fructify with ease. Consent cannot be in opaque and abstruse terms of service. Anonymisation, data minimisation, and purpose limitation must be rigorously enforced.
The regulation of artificial intelligence must be very transparent. It must go hand in hand with re-skilling and workforce planning. As artificial intelligence displaces certain tasks, it will. Because it has come to your house, come to your office. It does jobs sometimes better than normal resource and then an impression is gathered. Are we risking the jobs of people who work? Maybe in some situations, but then it does offer the stars of involvement. We must look in that direction. This requires that we must invest very heavily in education, vocational training, digital literacy, particularly for those who are marginalised, who are vulnerable, who need hand-holding situations.
Artificial intelligence, the governance part of it, I see it after deep thought, cannot be left only to technocrats or corporations. Democratic oversight is quintessence of democracy. Citizen engagement and transparency are essential. India’s parliamentary committees, judicial forums, and civil society, all are stakeholders. They must converge to secure the citizen against ill effects, evil effects of artificial intelligence.
Now, artificial intelligence, disruptive technologies are like another industrial revolution. There is paradigm shift every moment. We seem to be on quicksand when it comes to technological changes. Changes are taking place by the hour, I can say by the seconds. Therefore, to regulate something that is as dynamic as artificial intelligence, we need an agile and empowered institutional framework.
A national artificial intelligence authority or commission, independent but accountable with representation from government, industry, academia, and civil society could serve as a think tank. Let me give a simple illustration. This is turning out into a huge problem. People are losing the money from their banks. Now, artificial intelligence must find a solution that once something is stolen by electronic means on account of an inadvertent error or whereas citizen becomes prey to mischief in technology to neutralise and ensure traction of money is controlled. We are still very conventional.
The person has to go to a police station, and we find the area is in another state, so a physical visit has to be made. By that time, the crooks, the rogues who get themselves this kind of unjust enrichment move their working pattern. We need to do something about it.
I greatly appreciate the effort of Sujeet Kumar and his young colleague, Tosif Alam, and I have carefully gone through, having had the benefit of book in advance, of the comments that emanated from Justice Ranjan Gogoi and our N. R. Narayana Murthy, Justice T. S. Sivagnanam. He was a judge when I was governor of the state of Bengal.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a technocrat with deep belief, I share one thing in common with our young friend, Tauseef Alam. Salman Khurshid is a dear friend of mine, a distinguished senior advocate, and you have to learn a lot from his style. He absorbs everything which is a challenge by way of thought process, but makes his point in a subtle manner.
Friends, in conclusion, the topic of regulation of AI will determine the kind of society we aspire to be. It has become a most important factor where we will be. Do we wish to become a digital dystopia where humans serve algorithm or a humane artificial Indian society where technology serves the people? The choice is ours. The choice is well known. There is nothing in artificial intelligence, it is far away from the human mind, so we must use capacity of human mind to regulate this artificial intelligence. It is on trial as per the book.
Let artificial intelligence not put us on trial. I’m extremely happy to release this book. It will be an eye-opener to everyone in all spheres of life. I wish the authors success for their next venture.
In furtherance of the Government of India’s policy to prevent, regulate, and reduce litigation involving the Union of India, the Department of Legal Affairs (DLA), Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, has formulated the “Directive for the Efficient and Effective Management of Litigation by the Government of India”. This Directive has been developed pursuant to the recommendations of the Committee of Secretaries (CoS), chaired by the Cabinet Secretary. It shall be applicable to all Ministries and Departments of the Central Government, including their attached and subordinate offices, autonomous bodies, as well as Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) in matters pertaining to arbitration.
The Directive adopts a comprehensive approach in reinforcing the goal of good governance, ensuring public welfare, and facilitating the timely dispensation of justice. It aims to introduce stringent measures to simplify legal procedures, prevent unnecessary litigation, address inconsistencies in notifications and orders, minimise unwarranted appeals, streamline inter-departmental coordination in litigation, ensure greater public accountability in arbitration matters, and establish a robust Knowledge Management System (KMS) to improve and enhance the efficiency of legal processes.
The implementation of the recommendations outlined in the Directive will be reviewed by the Committee of Secretaries, chaired by the Cabinet Secretariat.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announces Centre of Excellence for Traditional Medicine during the BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand I am pleased to announce that India will extend support for training and capacity building in cancer care across BIMSTEC countries: Prime Minister
Initiative to boost Research & Development and academic collaboration
Posted On: 04 APR 2025 8:28PM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced the establishment of a Centre of Excellence to promote research and dissemination of Traditional Medicine during the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit held in Bangkok.
While announcing the initiative, Shri Narendra Modi said, “Public health is a vital pillar of our collective social development. I am pleased to announce that India will extend support for training and capacity building in cancer care across BIMSTEC countries. In line with our holistic approach to health, a Centre of Excellence will also be established to promote research and dissemination of traditional medicine”.
It is worth noting that Thailand and India have robust Traditional Medicine Systems with close mutual ties. With this announcement by the Prime Minister, the research and development activity in the area is set to get a significant boost. The two countries have been working together to strengthen, promote, facilitate and develop academic & research collaboration in Traditional Medicine.
This may also be noted that last year the National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, under the Ministry of Ayush of the Government of India and the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine of the Ministry of Public Health of the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 10th India-Thailand Joint Commission Meeting held at Hyderabad House, New Delhi on the establishment of an Academic Collaboration in Ayurveda and Thai Traditional Medicine.
In academic collaboration, the Ayush Scholarship Scheme of the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India is offered through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). The scholarship is provided for Undergraduate and Post-Graduate studies in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha & Homoeopathy, B.Sc. in Yoga, B.A. in Yoga Shastra, Ph.D in Yoga and Ph.D in Ayurveda. During the past five years, 175 students from BIMSTEC regions have availed the scholarships.
India and Thailand have a long history of cooperation in various sectors including Traditional Medicine. The announcement of establishing a Centre of Excellence to promote research and dissemination of Traditional Medicine will further strengthen these ties.
10.27 lakh Electric Vehicles (EVs) have been sold under the PM E-DRIVE scheme as on 31/03/2025 as per details at Annexure.
A total of 5,05,645 e-Vouchers have been generated and availed by EV customers under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, as on 31/03/2025.
It is estimated that sale of 10.27 lakh EVs under the PM E-DRIVE scheme has led to reduction of 230K tonnes of CO2emission. Currently no study on carbon emission from fuel-based vehicles has been carried out by MHI.
To encourage the integration of renewable energy in EV charging stations, the Ministry of Power, in its Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure-2024, has suggested a discount in electricity tariffs for EV charging during solar hours.” These guidelines also allow charging stations to integrate solar energy to their stations.
No. of EVs sold under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme as on 31.03.2025
State
Total
S.N.
e-2W
e-3W
Total
1
Andaman & Nicobar
17
–
17
2
Andhra Pradesh
39,331
2,640
41,971
3
Arunachal Pradesh
18
–
18
4
Assam
2,464
12,111
14,575
5
Bihar
13,672
10,136
23,808
6
Chhattisgarh
24,193
2,393
26,586
7
Chandigarh
1,220
140
1,360
8
Daman & Diu
130
8
138
9
Delhi
19,704
3,433
23,137
10
Goa
6,421
17
6,438
11
Gujarat
49,118
1,187
50,305
12
Himachal Pradesh
765
68
833
13
Haryana
14,019
864
14,883
14
Jharkhand
6,015
1,872
7,887
15
Jammu & Kashmir
1,996
5,874
7,870
16
Karnataka
1,00,901
6,343
1,07,244
17
Kerala
49,248
3,156
52,404
18
Ladakh
4
–
4
19
Lakshadweep
5
1
6
20
Maharashtra
1,70,413
6,842
1,77,255
21
Meghalaya
121
163
284
22
Manipur
7
193
200
23
Madhya Pradesh
49,204
3,354
52,558
24
Mizoram
430
–
430
25
Nagaland
5
–
5
26
Odisha
45,926
1,678
47,604
27
Punjab
16,553
737
17,290
28
Puducherry
3,361
187
3,548
29
Rajasthan
58,638
2,450
61,088
30
Shillong
1
1
2
31
Telangana
45,572
2,909
48,481
32
Tamil Nadu
93,159
1,683
94,842
33
Tripura
356
6,811
7,167
34
Uttarakhand
5,881
1,765
7,646
35
Uttar Pradesh
67,384
39,062
1,06,446
36
West Bengal
19,387
3,323
22,710
Total
9,05,639
1,21,401
10,27,040
This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Yes, the Government is providing subsidies to promote e-vehicles to enhances sales and reduce pollution. These subsidies are primarily offered to buyers of e-vehicles to make EVs more affordable. The following schemes are being implemented by Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) to provide subsidies to promote e-vehicles :-
PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme: This scheme with an outlay of Rs.10,900 crore has been notified on 29.09.2024. It is a two-year scheme ending on 31/03/2026. The subsidy is being provided to EVs including e-2Ws under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme. The details of subsidy are provided at Annexure.
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto Component Industry in India (PLI-Auto): The Government approved this scheme on 15.09.2021 for Automobile and Auto Component Industry for enhancing India’s manufacturingcapabilities for Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT) products. The budgetary outlay of the scheme is Rs.25,938 crore. The scheme provides financial incentives to boost domestic manufacturing of EVs, including cars.
PLI Scheme for National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage: The Government on 12.05.2021 approved PLI Scheme for National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage for manufacturing of ACCin the country with a budgetary outlay of Rs.18,100 crore. The scheme is important, as battery is an integral component for EVs including cars and scooters.
Besides this, many of the State Governments are providing subsidy for purchase of EVs.
As per information received from Ministry of Power (MoP), record of EV charging stations installed in the offices is not maintained by the MoP.
Additionally, the Ministry of Power issued the Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure-2024 in September 2024. These guidelines include the following suggestions to facilitate the setup of charging stations in office complexes:
Building/office owners can request a separate metered connection from the distribution licensee or use their existing electricity connections to charge employees’ EVs at the workplace.
Building/office owners can apply to their electricity distribution licensee for a higher power load to accommodate EV charging stations.
Details of subsidy being offered to e-2W buyers under the PM E-DRIVE scheme
S. No
Segment of Vehicle
Incentive per kWh
Cap
Period
1
e-2W
Rs.5,000/-
15% of ex-factory price
FY 2024-25
2
e-2W
Rs.2,500/-
FY 2025-26
The upper cap in the subsidy is restricted to EVs with an ex-factory price below a certain threshold defined in the PM E-DRIVE scheme.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Government of India Taking Measures To Tackle Deepfakes
Posted On: 04 APR 2025 8:09PM by PIB Delhi
The policies of Government of India are aimed at ensuring a safe, trusted and accountable cyberspace for users in the country. Key regulatory initiatives taken by the Central Government to address issues of misinformation and deepfakes, are as under:
The Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”) and the rules made there under have created a legal framework designed to protect the internet from unlawful activities to ensure safety and trust among the users.
The IT Act provides for punishment for various offences considered as cybercrimes such as identity theft, cheating by personation, violation of privacy, publishing/transmitting material that is obscene/ containing sexually explicit act, etc., depicting children in sexually explicit act/transmitting/ browsing child sexual abuse material, etc.
The IT Act and the rules made apply to any information that is generated using Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) tools or any other technology and those which are generated by users themselves for the purpose of defining offences.
To protect users in India and the Indian internet at large from the emerging harms emanating from the misuse of technologies including AI and to ensure accountability towards law of the land, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (“MeitY”) regularly engages with and receives inputs from the industry for promoting ethical use of technologies.
Accordingly, the Central Government after extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (“IT Rules, 2021”) and its subsequent amendments under the IT Act to address various emerging issues on the cyberspace.
The IT Rules, 2021 casts specific obligations on intermediaries, including social media intermediaries to not host, store or publish any information violative of any law.
They are also obligated to ensure their accountability that includes their expeditious action towards removal of the unlawful information categorised under the IT Rules, 2021 as notified by the appropriate government’s or on the basis of grievances received against any unlawful information.
Such unlawful information comprises any information that, among other things, is harmful to child or that is promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion or caste with the intent to incite violence, or that deceives or misleads the addressee about the origin of the message or knowingly and intentionally communicates any misinformation or information which is patently false and untrue or misleading in nature, or that threatens the unity, integrity, defence, security or sovereignty of India, public order, or that violates any law for the time being in force.
Where any information is categorised as unlawful under the IT Rules, 2021, any user may make a request to the Grievance Officer of the concerned intermediary on whose platform such unlawful information is made available to the public. Upon receipt of such request, the intermediary is required to act expeditiously within the timelines prescribed under IT Rules, 2021.
Also, under the IT Rules, 2021, the Government has established Grievance Appellate Committees to allow users and victims to appeal online on www.gac.gov.in against decisions taken by the Grievance Officers of intermediaries in case they are dissatisfied with the decision of the Grievance Officer.
Taking into cognizance that there is an urgent need to address the harms and criminalities being committed through widespread circulation of misinformation and deepfakes powered by AI, MeitY conducted multiple consultations with industry stakeholders/ social media platforms to discuss the challenges identified in combating deepfakes and has issued advisories time to time, through which the intermediaries were reminded about compliance with their due-diligence obligations outlined under the IT Rules, 2021 and advised on countering unlawful content including malicious “synthetic media” and “deepfakes” to curb deepfakes and promptly remove harmful content online.
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issues alerts and advisories regarding latest cyber threats/vulnerabilities including malicious attacks using Artificial Intelligence and countermeasures to protect computers, networks and data on an ongoing basis. In this context, an advisory on safety measures to be taken to minimize the adversarial threats arising from Artificial Intelligence (AI) based applications was published in May 2023. CERT-In has published an advisory in November 2024 on deepfake threats and measures that need to be followed to stay protected against deepfakes.
CERT-In has taken following measures to enhance awareness among users and organisations for safe usage of digital technologies and tackling digital risks:
CERT-In issues alerts and advisories regarding latest cyber threats/vulnerabilities including social engineering, phishing and vishing campaigns and countermeasures to protect computers, mobile phones, networks and data on an ongoing basis.
CERT-In has issued an advisory to various Ministries in November 2023 outlining the measures to be taken for strengthening the cyber security by all entities that are processing the digital personal data or information including sensitive personal data or information.
CERT-In operates the Cyber Swachhta Kendra (Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre) to detect malicious programs and provides free tools to remove the same, and also provides cyber security tips and best practices for citizens and organisations.
CERT-In provides leadership for the Computer Security Incident Response Team-Finance Sector (CSIRT-Fin) operations under its umbrella for responding to and containing and mitigating cyber security incidents reported from the financial sector.
Security tips have been published for users to secure their desktops and mobile phones and to prevent phishing attacks.
CERT-In is regularly carrying out various activities for awareness and citizen sensitization with respect to cyber-attacks and cyber frauds. CERT-In is observing the Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) during October of every year, Safer Internet Day on 1st Week Tuesday of February Month every year, Swachhta Pakhwada from 1 to 15 February of every year and Cyber Jagrookta Diwas (CJD) on 1st Wednesday of every month by organising various events and activities for citizens as well as the technical cyber community in India. CERT-In conducted several awareness activities such as Quiz, webinars, Capture the Flag event in collaboration with Government and industry partners during NCSAM 2024 with the theme “Satark Nagrik, Secure our World”.
In addition, the Ministry of Home Affairs (“MHA”) has established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (“I4C”) to provide a framework and eco-system for LEAs to deal with cyber-crimes in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. MHA has also launched the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in) to enable the public to report all types of cyber-crimes including cyber financial frauds.
Cybercrime incidents reported on this portal are routed to the respective State/UT law enforcement agency for further handling as per the provisions of law. The portal has distinct mechanisms for registering complaints related to financial frauds. A toll-free Helpline number ‘1930’ has been operationalised to get assistance in lodging online complaints.
This information was given by Minister of State for Electronics & IT Shri Jitin Prasada as a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
7 Years of Stand-Up India Turning Aspirations into Achievements
Posted On: 04 APR 2025 8:06PM by PIB Delhi
Since its launch on 5th April 2016, the Stand-Up India Scheme has been on a mission to empower SC, ST, and women entrepreneurs. It aimed to break barriers by providing bank loans to help them start new businesses. Over the past 7 years, the scheme has not just funded businesses—it has nurtured dreams, created livelihoods, and driven inclusive growth across India.
Achievements Under Stand-Up India
The Stand-Up India Scheme has shown remarkable growth over the years, with the total amount sanctioned rising from Rs. 16,085.07 crore as of 31st March 2019 to an impressive Rs. 61,020.41 crore by 17th March 2025, since its launch. This reflects a substantial increase, highlighting the scheme’s expanding impact in empowering entrepreneurs across the country.
The scheme reflected significant financial empowerment for the SC, ST communities and women entrepreneurs (from March 2018 to March 2024):
SC accounts grew from 9,399 to 46,248 with loan amounts rising from Rs. 1,826.21 crore to Rs. 9,747.11 crore.
ST accounts increased from 2,841 to 15,228 with sanctioned loans jumping from Rs. 574.65 crore to Rs. 3,244.07 crore.
From 2018 to 2024, women entrepreneurs saw growth from 55,644 to 1,90,844 accounts, with sanctioned amounts rising from Rs. 12,452.37 crore to Rs. 43,984.10 crore.
Conclusion
The Stand-Up India Scheme has been a transformative initiative, empowering SC, ST, and women entrepreneurs to turn their business ideas into reality. With significant achievements in loan sanctions and disbursements, it continues to foster inclusive growth. This scheme is not just about loans; it’s about creating opportunities, inspiring change, and turning aspirations into achievements.
The bilateral Naval Exercise INDRA 2025 between Indian and Russian navies was held from 28 Mar to 02 Apr 2025.
This 14th edition of the exercise included a wide range of activities and structured drills designed to enhance interoperability towards countering common maritime threats.
The operations involved complex coordinated manoeuvres and simulated engagements showcasing the combined combat power of the participating navies.
The exercise achieved its aim of enhanced jointmanship and reinforced the shared commitment to upholding the principles of maritime order, promoting global peace and stability.
The drills also provided invaluable operational experience, strengthening collective capacity to address contemporary maritime security challenges. The exercise facilitated the exchange of best practices, fostering a deeper understanding of each other’s operational doctrines and enhancing the ability to operate seamlessly in complex maritime environments.
The INDRA series of exercises have been a cornerstone of India-Russia Defence relations since its inception in 2003 and both countries recognise the importance of maritime security and the need for a collaborative approach to counter common threats and concerns.