DNPA Conclave 2026: S Krishnan outlines India’s digital regulatory framework in AI era

At the DNPA Conclave 2026, policymakers and industry leaders gathered to discuss the evolving digital ecosystem and the challenges of governing communications in the age of artificial intelligence. At the conference “Regulatory Reset: Governing India’s Digital Communications in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, Electronics and Information Technology Minister S Krishnan outlined how India seeks to balance free speech with platform responsibility.He said: “Freedom of speech is subject to certain restrictions under Article 19(2) of the Constitution. The grounds are very clear. Therefore, reasonable restrictions on free speech can be imposed on these grounds. The courts have repeatedly upheld this. “

Krishnan added that social media regulation does not exceed the constitutional mandate. He highlighted Section 69A of the IT Act as a key regulatory mechanism which addresses certain limitations allowed under Section 19(2). Other grounds provided for in Article 19(2), such as defamation and obscenity, will be dealt with separately legal regulations but form part of a wider regulatory framework.Krishnan added that the government operates within the legal framework. He stressed that platforms operating in India must not violate valid restrictions under the Constitution, adding that if they want to operate in India, they should abide by Indian laws.When asked why sensational content tends to gain wider impact, Krishnan said it was a reflection of society on a deeper level. He also highlighted new government regulations on labeling synthetically generated content to ensure users understand what they are consuming.His speech underscored the government’s position that while digital innovation and artificial intelligence are reshaping communications, regulatory oversight will continue to operate strictly within the confines of the constitution.