Key Points
- BIS has developed over 100 standards for AI, big data and robotics in India
- Workshop aims to create safety and ethics frameworks for AI and robotics adoption
- Government calls for indigenous standards reflecting India's socio-cultural diversity
The Bureau of Indian Standards convened a national workshop on Friday to develop standardisation frameworks for artificial intelligence and robotics, a move that could shape how these technologies are deployed across sectors from farming to manufacturing in India.
The one-day event in Noida brought together policymakers, industry representatives, academics and technology experts. Participants discussed safety protocols, ethical guidelines and quality benchmarks that could govern AI-powered products and services used by millions of Indians daily.
Standardisation, in simple terms, means setting uniform rules and benchmarks that products and services must meet. For AI and robotics, this includes ensuring that a voice assistant understands commands correctly, a robotic arm in a factory operates safely around workers, or an AI-powered loan system does not discriminate against applicants.
Without clear standards, consumers have no guarantee that the AI tools they use, from chatbots to autonomous vehicles, meet basic safety and quality requirements. The workshop aimed to identify gaps in existing Indian standards and create a roadmap to address them.
Government Pushes for India-Led Frameworks
Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, said proactive action was essential. “Today, everyone is engaging with products and services powered by AI and Robotics, reflecting their transformative impact on our lives,” she said. “It is imperative that we proactively explore their meaningful integration into public governance.”
Khare urged BIS scientists to take the lead in developing forward-looking frameworks. “If we do not take the lead, others certainly will,” she added.
Sanjay Garg, Director General of BIS, said standards were critical for India’s global competitiveness. “In the rapidly evolving domains of AI and Robotics, standards serve as the strategic cornerstone for national competitiveness,” he said. “Our commitment to robust standardisation ensures that Indian innovation is not only synonymous with excellence but is also positioned as a primary driver of international norms.”
India has already developed more than 100 standards across AI, big data and robotics, according to Sanjay Pant, Deputy Director General for Standardisation at BIS. The focus now, he said, is on bridging gaps and strengthening real-world applications.
“India is not just advancing AI and robotics standards, we are actively shaping them at the global level,” Pant said. “Our focus now is clear: to bridge gaps, strengthen real-world applications, and ensure these technologies serve humanity safely, ethically, and at scale.”
Call for Indigenous Standards
Jitender Kumar, Head of Electronics and IT at BIS, raised the need for standards that account for India’s diversity. He called for human-centric standardisation that ensures trust, safety and psychological acceptance across the country’s varied economic and socio-cultural contexts.
Kumar said formulating an indigenous standard addressing these issues was a key objective of the workshop.
Reena Garg, Deputy Director General for Standardisation, said AI and robotics were transforming multiple sectors. “India must lead with standards that ensure safety, transparency, and inclusivity, while enabling innovation,” she said.
The workshop included a panel discussion titled “Standards as the Backbone of Responsible Robotics and AI Adoption in India — Are We Ready?” Participants debated whether the country is prepared for large-scale adoption of these technologies.
Expert presentations covered responsible deployment of AI and robotics, ethical standardisation, sectoral applications in agriculture and manufacturing, and regulatory frameworks.
Your Questions, Answered
What is the BIS workshop on AI and robotics about?
The Bureau of Indian Standards convened a national workshop to develop standardisation frameworks for artificial intelligence and robotics. The event focused on creating safety protocols, ethical guidelines and quality benchmarks for AI-powered products and services in India.
How many AI and robotics standards has India developed?
India has developed over 100 standards across AI, big data and robotics, according to BIS. The bureau is now working to identify gaps in existing standards and strengthen their real-world application.
Why do AI standards matter for consumers?
Standards ensure AI-powered products meet basic safety and quality requirements. Without clear benchmarks, consumers have no guarantee that tools like voice assistants, robotic systems or AI-driven services will function safely and fairly.
What were the key outcomes of the BIS workshop?
The workshop produced a formal outcome statement on AI and robotics standardisation and compiled a list of critical gaps in existing Indian standards. BIS is expected to use these findings to guide future standards development.
