Timeline of AI law in India

Deepfakes committee constituted

MeitY constitutes a committee on deepfakes by office memorandum; the Delhi High Court records this on 21 November.

Scheme launch (repository date)

The Pacta repository records the NABCB AIMS accreditation scheme as launched in October 2024; the NABCB site pages reviewed do not confirm this.

Microsoft Technology Licensing v. Assistant Controller

The Madras High Court discusses the meaning of "algorithm" and "per se" under Section 3(k).

Results declared

Counting concludes the 2024 general election.

IFF letter to ECI

The Internet Freedom Foundation criticises vague terms, the three-hour deadline, reliance on the GAC and the late timing.

ECI orders X takedown

The ECI directs X to remove an animated video posted by the BJP's Karnataka unit, invoking Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act.

Deepfake guidelines

The ECI directs parties to avoid deepfakes and remove them within three hours during the Lok Sabha election.

Advisory issued

ECI letter No. 491/SM_SOP/2024/Communication directs parties to avoid deepfakes and take them down within three hours.

Delhi High Court disposes of Lawyers Voice PIL

The court directs the ECI to decide the petitioner's representation on deepfakes by 6 May 2024, declining to issue directions mid-election.

BJP complaint on deepfakes reported

A BJP delegation led by IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw asks the ECI to act against election deepfakes after an edited video of Amit Shah circulates.

Polling begins

First of seven polling phases of the general election.

Civil society letter reported

Article 21 Trust, ADR, IFF, LibTech India and Maadhyam urge the ECI to adopt binding safeguards against deceptive AI and a code for digital platforms.

Election schedule announced

The ECI announces the 2024 Lok Sabha schedule; the Model Code of Conduct comes into force.

Revised advisory

MeitY drops the permission requirement while keeping labelling, consent pop-ups and deepfake-identifier duties.

IndiaAI Mission approved

The Cabinet approves the IndiaAI Mission, which includes skilling and AI education components.

Minister clarifies

Chandrasekhar says the advisory targets significant platforms and untested models and will not apply to start-ups.

AI advisory issued

MeitY advises that under-tested AI models need explicit government permission, with labelling, consent pop-ups and deepfake metadata.

AI-model advisory

MeitY extends the advisory approach to AI models (replaced on 15 March 2024).

Gemini controversy

Chandrasekhar alleges that Google Gemini violated the IT Rules over its answers about Prime Minister Modi.