India Calls for Dedicated AI Law to Address Emerging Risks

Severity: Low (Score: 24.9)

Sources: Livemint, Tribuneindia

Published: 2026-05-20 · Updated: 2026-05-20

Keywords: india, needs, dedicated, legal, emerging, risks, artificial

Summary

Pavan Duggal, a cyber law expert, emphasized the need for a dedicated artificial intelligence law in India during the FICCI CyberComm event. He stated that existing frameworks, such as the Information Technology Act of 2000 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023, are insufficient to address AI-related risks. Duggal highlighted that while India has made progress in AI governance, it must develop a customized regulatory approach rather than following global models. He proposed the establishment of a National AI Accountability Authority to ensure legal accountability for AI systems. Additionally, he called for clear rules on data localization to protect Indian data sovereignty. Duggal also noted the absence of a dedicated cybersecurity law in India, criticizing the 2013 national cybersecurity policy as ineffective. Key Points: • Pavan Duggal advocates for a dedicated AI law in India to manage emerging risks. • Current legal frameworks are deemed inadequate for addressing AI-related concerns. • Duggal calls for a National AI Accountability Authority to ensure accountability of AI systems.

Detailed Analysis

**Impact** The event affects the entire Indian digital ecosystem, including government, industry, and individual citizens. Current legal frameworks inadequately address AI-related risks, potentially exposing critical infrastructure and personal data to misuse or harm. The lack of clear AI accountability and data localization rules increases risks to sovereignty, security, and data integrity within India. The rapid digital expansion heightens the need for robust cybersecurity and AI governance. **Technical Details** The articles do not provide specific technical details such as attack vectors, TTPs, malware, CVEs, or IOCs related to cybersecurity incidents. The focus is on legislative and regulatory gaps concerning AI and cybersecurity rather than on active threats or exploits. **Recommended Response** Defenders should monitor developments in Indian AI and cybersecurity regulations, particularly around data localization and AI accountability frameworks. Organizations should prepare for compliance with forthcoming laws and enhance protections for critical information infrastructure. Increased vigilance on AI system behaviors and proactive cybersecurity monitoring aligned with national policies is advised. No specific patches or technical mitigations are detailed in the sources.

Source articles (2)

• India needs dedicated AI law as current legal framework inadequate to tackle emerging risks — Livemint · 2026-05-20
  New Delhi [India], May 20 (ANI): India needs a dedicated law on artificial intelligence as existing legal frameworks are not adequate to deal with the risks emerging from AI, cyber law and artificial…
• India needs dedicated AI law as current legal framework inadequate to tackle emerging risks — Tribuneindia · 2026-05-20
  New Delhi [India], May 20 (ANI): India needs a dedicated law on artificial intelligence as existing legal frameworks are not adequate to deal with the risks emerging from AI, cyber law and artificial…

Timeline

• 2026-05-20 — Pavan Duggal speaks at FICCI CyberComm event: Duggal highlights the need for a dedicated AI law and criticizes existing frameworks as inadequate.
• 2026-05-20 — Call for National AI Accountability Authority: Duggal proposes the creation of an authority to ensure legal accountability for AI algorithms.

Related entities

• India (Country)