India’s Tech Policy in 2024: Lessons Learned and What Lies Ahead in 2025

India’s Tech Policy in 2024: Lessons Learned and What Lies Ahead in 2025

2024 was an eventful year for India’s tech policy landscape, marked by ambitious announcements, regulatory overlaps, and significant delays. As the world increasingly recognizes the strategic importance of digital policy, India finds itself at a crossroads—caught between the promise of innovation and the pitfalls of ineffective implementation. Despite challenges, the coming year presents an opportunity for India to realign its priorities and establish itself as a leader in the global digital economy. This article reflects on 2024’s missteps and explores the policy focus areas and actionable steps for 2025.

2024: A Year of Missed Opportunities

While the year witnessed heightened activity in regulatory discussions, execution often fell short of expectations, leaving critical initiatives in limbo.

1. Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act. Eighteen months after its passage, the DPDP Act remains unenforced, with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) failing to establish rules or a Data Protection Board. This delay is particularly glaring given the Supreme Court’s 2017 declaration of privacy as a fundamental right.

2. Real-Money Gaming Regulation. Despite introducing rules to regulate the sector, there was no progress in ratifying self-regulatory organizations. The lack of clarity continues to stymie an industry that blends economic potential with significant risks.

3. Regulatory Overreach and Confusion. 2024 saw ministries encroaching on each other’s domains. The Corporate Affairs Ministry ventured into competition regulation, which is traditionally MeitY’s domain. Similarly, SEBI’s move to regulate social media advertising muddied the waters further.

4. Poorly Drafted Initiatives. The incomplete Broadcast Bill and the impractical advisory requiring AI model registration highlighted the disconnect between policy aspirations and practical enforceability.

Key Challenges in Focus

Several issues dominated the tech policy narrative in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for targeted intervention:

1. Algorithmic Bias and Fake News. Social media platforms prioritize engagement over accuracy, amplifying disinformation and divisive content. Addressing algorithmic fairness remains critical.

2. AI and Copyright Concerns. The challenge of regulating AI for intellectual property (IP) protection took centre stage, with ANI’s lawsuit against OpenAI reflecting the complexities of this domain.

3. Economic Transparency. There is a growing demand for regulations addressing predatory pricing, deep discounting, and transparency in the e-commerce and quick commerce sectors.

4. Balancing Regulation and Innovation. India must tread carefully to ensure that regulatory actions do not stifle innovation, particularly as it seeks to compete with global leaders like the U.S. and China.

What 2025 Might Hold

The coming year will likely witness continued regulatory activity, with a mix of expected advancements and persisting challenges.

1. Online Speech and Platform Regulation. Revised platform rules could address algorithmic bias, disinformation, and compensation for news publishers. Legal precedents like ANI’s lawsuit against Wikipedia may influence future regulations.

2. Data Governance. MeitY is expected to enforce DPDP rules while navigating contentious issues, such as keeping political parties out of the purview of data protection laws.

3. Expansion of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Initiatives like UPI, ONDC, and APAAR ID will continue to gain momentum, strengthening India’s global positioning in digital public goods.

4. National Security in Tech. Rules governing satellite internet access and encryption oversight will address national security concerns while facilitating innovation in communication technologies.

5. Persisting Gaps. Challenges in regulating cryptocurrencies, the gig economy, and drone policies are unlikely to see significant progress, reflecting a cautious approach to contentious issues.

Recommendations for a Coherent Policy Approach.

1. Align Ministry Roles. Clear delineation of responsibilities across ministries is essential to avoid overlaps and inefficiencies.

2. Focus on Enforceable Policies. Policymaking must prioritize practicality and enforceability to ensure compliance and meaningful impact.

3. Balance Regulation with Growth. India’s tech ecosystem thrives on innovation. Policies must create an environment that nurtures startups while addressing consumer and societal concerns.

4. Encourage Public-Private Collaboration. A robust dialogue between policymakers, industry stakeholders, and academia can foster well-rounded regulations.

Conclusion

India’s tech policy journey in 2024 was a testament to the complexities of governing an ever-evolving digital landscape. While challenges remain, 2025 offers an opportunity to correct course and lay the groundwork for a thriving, inclusive, and innovative digital economy. The path forward demands clarity, collaboration, and a commitment to ensuring that policy frameworks align with India’s aspirations as a global digital leader.