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UPSC Notes

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance and Regulation

PYQs

11

Articles

2

Momentum

29

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

AI is a transformative technology with profound implications for economy, society, national security, and international relations. UPSC examines its ethical dimensions, regulatory challenges, economic opportunities, and India's strategic response to global AI governance frameworks.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines programmed to think and learn like humans. Its rapid advancement necessitates robust governance and regulatory frameworks to ensure ethical deployment, mitigate risks, and protect stakeholders across various sectors.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Core Focus

Ensuring ethical, transparent, and explainable adoption of AI tools and models.

Risk Mitigation

Addressing data protection, cyber security risks (e.g., automated attacks), and potential challenges to policyholders.

Regulatory Scope

Reviewing global regulatory and supervisory approaches and suggesting sector-specific frameworks (e.g., for insurance).

Accountability

Prescribing frameworks for implementing security controls, conducting stress tests, and establishing AI audit requirements (pre-deployment and post-deployment).

EU AI Act

The world's first comprehensive legal framework for AI, adopting a risk-based approach.

Risk-based approach

Classifies AI systems into prohibited, high-risk, limited-risk, and minimal-risk categories based on potential harm.

Conformity Assessment

Mandatory evaluation for high-risk AI systems to ensure compliance before market entry in the EU.

Substantial Modification

Any change not contemplated at original assessment that affects compliance or alters intended purpose, triggering re-assessment.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaEmerging Information Technologies
Conceptual areaScience & Technology

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
IRDAIInitiates regulatory framework for insurance sector
CERT-InProvides cybersecurity expertise
Reserve Bank Information Technology (ReBIT)Provides financial technology expertise
European Union (EU)Implements
Government of IndiaConsidering
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Quick revision

  • Focus on ethical, transparent, and explainable AI.
  • Mitigation of data protection and cybersecurity risks.
  • Review of global regulatory approaches for AI.
  • Development of pre-deployment and post-deployment AI audit frameworks.
  • Identification of skill gaps and capacity-building needs.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi : 1. The Summit's intellectual framework was based on three f...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct ? 1. Modern technological innovations including Arti...

GeographyOpen question

Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct ? 1. LLMs assign probabilities to the ...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is **not** correctly matched? | Semiconductor Plant | Location | |---|...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2026Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi : 1. The Summit's intellectual framework was based on three f...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct ? 1. Modern technological innovations including Arti...

GeographyOpen question

Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct ? 1. LLMs assign probabilities to the ...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is **not** correctly matched? | Semiconductor Plant | Location | |---|...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2026Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi : 1. The Summit's intellectual framework was based on three f...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct ? 1. Modern technological innovations including Arti...

GeographyOpen question

Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct ? 1. LLMs assign probabilities to the ...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is **not** correctly matched? | Semiconductor Plant | Location | |---|...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2026Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi : 1. The Summit's intellectual framework was based on three f...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct ? 1. Modern technological innovations including Arti...

GeographyOpen question

Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct ? 1. LLMs assign probabilities to the ...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is **not** correctly matched? | Semiconductor Plant | Location | |---|...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2025Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following statements regarding AI Action Summit held in Grand Palais, Paris in February 2025: I. Co-chaired with India, the event builds on the...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following statements: I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) to create a future ready railway system by 2028. II. 'Kavac...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2025Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements regarding AI Action Summit held in Grand Palais, Paris in February 2025: I. Co-chaired with India, the event builds on the...

International RelationsOpen question

Consider the following statements: I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) to create a future ready railway system by 2028. II. 'Kavac...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Web 3-0, consider the following statements : 1. Web 3-0 technology enables people to control their own data. 2. In Web 3-0 world, there ca...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2020Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence an effectively do which of the following? 1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial ...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2019Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the difference/differences between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolut...

Science & TechnologyOpen question
2018Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures

Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of "Digital India" Plan of the Government of India? 1. Formation of India's own Internet companies like China did...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2017Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cybersecurity incidents? 1. Service providers 2. Data centres 3. Body corporate...

Science & TechnologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Emerging Information TechnologiesScience & Technology
Prelims 2017· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cybersecurity incidents? 1. Service providers 2. Data centres 3. Body corporate...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Multi-statement analysis, Policy measures

Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of "Digital India" Plan of the Government of India? 1. Formation of India's own Internet companies like China did...

Open question
Prelims 2019· Conceptual understanding, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the difference/differences between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolut...

Open question
Prelims 2020· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence an effectively do which of the following? 1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial ...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to Web 3-0, consider the following statements : 1. Web 3-0 technology enables people to control their own data. 2. In Web 3-0 world, there ca...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following statements regarding AI Action Summit held in Grand Palais, Paris in February 2025: I. Co-chaired with India, the event builds on the...

Open question

Consider the following statements: I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) to create a future ready railway system by 2028. II. 'Kavac...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements regarding AI Action Summit held in Grand Palais, Paris in February 2025: I. Co-chaired with India, the event builds on the...

Open question

Consider the following statements: I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) to create a future ready railway system by 2028. II. 'Kavac...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi : 1. The Summit's intellectual framework was based on three f...

Open question

Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct ? 1. Modern technological innovations including Arti...

Open question

Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct ? 1. LLMs assign probabilities to the ...

Open question

Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is **not** correctly matched? | Semiconductor Plant | Location | |---|...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi : 1. The Summit's intellectual framework was based on three f...

Open question

Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct ? 1. Modern technological innovations including Arti...

Open question

Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct ? 1. LLMs assign probabilities to the ...

Open question

Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is **not** correctly matched? | Semiconductor Plant | Location | |---|...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi : 1. The Summit's intellectual framework was based on three f...

Open question

Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct ? 1. Modern technological innovations including Arti...

Open question

Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct ? 1. LLMs assign probabilities to the ...

Open question

Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is **not** correctly matched? | Semiconductor Plant | Location | |---|...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi : 1. The Summit's intellectual framework was based on three f...

Open question

Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct ? 1. Modern technological innovations including Arti...

Open question

Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct ? 1. LLMs assign probabilities to the ...

Open question

Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is **not** correctly matched? | Semiconductor Plant | Location | |---|...

Open question

IRDAI forms working group on AI

19 Jun 2026 · AI governance involves establishing rules, standards, and best practices for the ethical, transparent, and secure development and deployment of AI systems, addressing issues like data privacy, bias, accountability, and cybersecurity risks across various sectors.

Read article

Europe’s AI rules may become India’s opportunity

14 Aug 2026 · The EU AI Act, a pioneering risk-based regulation, mandates conformity assessments for high-risk AI systems, with re-assessment required for substantial modifications. This presents compliance challenges for India's adaptive IT industry but also opportunities for providing professional services and participating in the EU's assessment ecosystem via the India-EU FTA.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance and Regulation

Often confused with

International Trade Agreements and Regulatory Cooperation

Open notesOften confused with

AI Governance and Data Protection in India

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 11 linked questions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance and Regulation in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance and Regulation

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi : 1. The Summit's intellectual framework was based on three f...

2026·Science & Technology
Solve

In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cybersecurity incidents? 1. Service providers 2. Data centres 3. Body corporate...

2017·Science & Technology
Solve

Consider the following statements regarding AI Action Summit held in Grand Palais, Paris in February 2025: I. Co-chaired with India, the event builds on the...

2025·International Relations
Solve

With reference to Web 3-0, consider the following statements : 1. Web 3-0 technology enables people to control their own data. 2. In Web 3-0 world, there ca...

2022·Science & Technology
Solve

Which of the following statements about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and Critical Minerals is/are correct ? 1. Modern technological innovations including Arti...

2026·Geography
Solve

Which of the following statements with regard to Large Language Models (LLMs) used in machine learning is/are correct ? 1. LLMs assign probabilities to the ...

2026·Science & Technology
Solve

Consider the following statements: I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) to create a future ready railway system by 2028. II. 'Kavac...

2025·Science & Technology
Solve

Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of "Digital India" Plan of the Government of India? 1. Formation of India's own Internet companies like China did...

2018·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence an effectively do which of the following? 1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial ...

2020·Science & Technology
Solve

With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the difference/differences between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolut...

2019·Science & Technology
Solve

Which one of the following pairs of semiconductor plants in India and their locations is **not** correctly matched? | Semiconductor Plant | Location | |---|...

2026·Science & Technology
Solve

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