AI in Governance training launched by NeGD at IIT Delhi aims to empower government officials with digital and AI skills under Digital India’s Capacity Building Scheme Phase III.
NeGD Begins “AI in Governance” Training at IIT Delhi
Promoting Technological Excellence in Governance
The National e‑Governance Division (NeGD), operating under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), has rolled out a two‑day capacity‑building initiative titled “AI in Governance”, hosted at the Department of Management Studies, IIT Delhi, from 26–27 June 2025 This workshop targets enhancing the digital and AI preparedness of government officials, providing them with an immersive exposure to state‑of‑the‑art AI tools and applications.
Who Is Participating?
Fifty‑nine officials from various central ministries, state departments, and government entities have been selected to participate They are expected to emerge with a heightened awareness of AI’s practical and strategic implications in public service delivery—from policy design to tackling citizen issues.
Program Structure & Focus Areas
The training, under Digital India Programme’s Capacity Building Scheme Phase III, blends policy insights with technical know‑how. Sessions cover:
- AI policy frameworks shaping ethical governance
- Digital transformation strategies to modernize public administration
- Responsible AI and ethical considerations
- Sector‑specific modules for public services
- Interactive group exercises and use‑case discussions emphasizing citizen‑centric outcomes
Institutional Collaboration
IIT Delhi’s Department of Management Studies, led by Prof. Surya Prakash Singh, is partnering with NeGD’s Capacity Building team to ensure synergy between academic rigor and practical applicability NeGD COO & Director Rajnish Kumar and Director Sunil Sharma inaugurated the event, underscoring its national priority.
Impacts & Aspirations
This initiative marks a significant push toward embedding AI in governance structures. By equipping officials with modern AI competencies, the program aims to improve decision‑making, public service efficiency, and accountability—reflecting India’s strategic digital transformation ambitions
B) Why This News is Important
Strengthening Governance with AI
For aspirants of teacher, police, banking, railway, defence, and civil service exams like PSCs and IAS, it’s essential to understand how India is mainstreaming AI in public administration. This training illustrates the government’s commitment to leveraging technology for transparent, efficient, and citizen-focused governance.
Aligning with Digital India Mandate
As part of Phase III of the Digital India Capacity Building scheme, this initiative highlights the ongoing emphasis on digitizing governance, a recurring theme in modern exam syllabi. Aspirants should note that AI-readiness is now central to shaping policies and administrative reforms.
Ethical & Policy Dimensions
The workshop emphasizes responsible AI—balancing innovation with ethical, legal, and policy frameworks. This is critical for government exam candidates, especially for sections on Governance, Ethics, and Current Affairs, where questions around technology policy are increasingly common.
C) Historical Context
Evolution of AI in Indian Governance
- Digital India Programme (launched 2015) introduced initiatives to digitize public services.
- Capacity Building Scheme Phase III includes AI training for officials, moving beyond basic digital literacy to cutting-edge AI integration.
- IndiaAI Mission (2024–2025) broadened scope with efforts like sovereign LLM development, AI competency frameworks, and public‑sector learning modules
- Recent AI innovations (e.g., AIkosh, AI-based crowd management at Kumbh Mela) show India’s strides in deploying AI for public good
D) Key Takeaways from “AI in Governance Training at IIT Delhi”
| S. No | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | 59 officials participated from central and state levels in a two-day AI governance workshop. |
| 2 | The event is part of Capacity Building Scheme Phase III under the Digital India Programme. |
| 3 | Focus areas included AI policy, ethics, digital transformation, and public service efficiency. |
| 4 | IIT Delhi’s DMS department partnered with NeGD to blend academic insights with practical governance needs. |
| 5 | Highlights India’s push for responsible, citizen-centric AI integration in governance practices. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the “AI in Governance” training programme?
It is a two-day capacity-building initiative launched by NeGD under MeitY to train government officials in the use of Artificial Intelligence for governance.
2. Where was the training held and who hosted it?
The training was held at the Department of Management Studies (DMS), IIT Delhi, from June 26–27, 2025.
3. Who participated in the AI in Governance workshop?
A total of 59 government officials from central and state-level departments and ministries participated.
4. What are the key topics covered during the workshop?
Topics included AI policy frameworks, responsible AI practices, digital governance, ethics in AI, and citizen-centric service delivery.
5. Why is this training important for competitive exam aspirants?
This training reflects India’s digital transformation and integration of AI in public administration, which is crucial for questions related to governance, technology, ethics, and current affairs in exams like UPSC, PSCs, SSC, Defence, Railways, Banking, and Teaching.
6. What is the significance of NeGD in the Digital India initiative?
NeGD is a key division under MeitY responsible for implementing e-Governance policies, including digital literacy, infrastructure, and innovation strategies.
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