India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) technical arm, the Telecommunications Engineering Centre (TEC), is initiating a National Working Group to focus on artificial intelligence (AI) standardisation, inviting nominations from diverse sectors by early July 2026.
- TEC invites nominations for AI standards working group by July 7, 2026
- Group includes participants from industry, academia, government, startups
- Focus on developing AI standards aligned with ITU-T guidelines
What happened
The Telecommunications Engineering Centre (TEC), the technical wing of India's Department of Telecommunications, announced the formation of a National Working Group focused on AI standardisation. This group will incorporate representatives from industry, academia, startups, research organisations, and government agencies. Interested parties are requested to submit nominations by July 7, 2026.
This move reflects TEC's ongoing efforts to lead AI standards development in India, referencing collaboration principles with international bodies such as the International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). The group aims to establish guidelines that can support fair and transparent AI system deployment nationwide.
Why it matters
Establishing a dedicated working group for AI standards in India is crucial as AI technologies proliferate across multiple sectors. Without clear, shared standards, challenges like bias, lack of transparency, and inconsistent deployment practices can undermine the technology's impact and trustworthiness.
Previously, in 2022, TEC released a draft framework on assessing fairness and rating AI systems intended to guide transparency and mitigate unintended bias. Though the document is no longer publicly available, this initiative shows continuing institutional momentum to embed such principles into Indian AI governance, enhancing alignment with global standards.
What to watch next
Following the July 7 nomination deadline, the National Working Group will begin developing detailed AI standardisation frameworks. Industry and policy watchers should monitor the group's outputs and engagement opportunities, which could shape regulatory and operational AI practices in India.
Additionally, there may be collaboration efforts or formal liaison with the ITU-T and other international standard bodies, indicating India’s role in broader AI policy dialogues. Updates on draft standards, transparency requirements, and bias mitigation approaches will be critical indicators of the group's direction and influence.