MANAV Framework for AI Governance: PM Modi’s Human‑Centric AI Doctrine and the New Delhi Declaration
At the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held in New Delhi (16–20 February 2026), Prime Minister Narendra Modi articulated India’s human-centric AI governance doctrine through the M.A.N.A.V. framework—placing ethics, accountability, sovereignty, inclusion, and legality at the core of AI development. The summit also concluded with the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact (New Delhi, 18–19 February 2026), which—according to PIB—was endorsed by 89 countries and international organisations, structuring global cooperation around seven “Chakras” (pillars) and announcing voluntary global deliverables like the Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI, Global AI Impact Commons, and Trusted AI Commons.
What is the MANAV framework?
In his address at the summit on 19 February 2026, PM Modi framed AI not as an autonomous force driven only by data and algorithms, but as an extension of human aspirations, ethics, and dignity, and summarised the governance vision as M.A.N.A.V. (a word meaning “human”). PIB describes MANAV as a roadmap to ensure technological progress stays aligned with societal values and constitutional-democratic principles.
The five pillars of MANAV (meaning + governance significance)
PIB explains the five pillars as follows:
- M — Moral and Ethical Systems: AI should be rooted in fairness, transparency, and human oversight as non-negotiable design and deployment principles.
- A — Accountable Governance: Trust in AI must be anchored in transparent rules, robust oversight, and clear institutional responsibility.
- N — National Sovereignty: Sovereignty in the AI era extends to data, algorithms, and digital infrastructure; India emphasises securing datasets and strengthening domestic capabilities while staying globally collaborative.
- A — Accessible and Inclusive AI: AI should act as a multiplier for society, not a monopoly; India highlights Digital Public Infrastructure and shared compute/data initiatives to lower entry barriers for startups and researchers.
- V — Valid and Legitimate Systems: AI must be verifiable, lawful, and transparent—especially amid risks like deepfakes and synthetic media affecting democratic discourse and social trust.
Summit governance outcomes: New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact
PIB reports that the AI Impact Summit 2026 concluded with adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact, endorsed by 89 countries and international organisations, reflecting broad consensus on leveraging AI for economic growth and social good while respecting national sovereignty. The Declaration is guided by the principle “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya” (welfare for all, happiness for all) and calls for international cooperation along seven Chakras (pillars) of action.
The seven “Chakras” (pillars) listed in the declaration
The declaration’s cooperation agenda is organised around: Human capital, Access for social empowerment, Secure & trusted AI, Energy efficiency of AI systems, AI for science, Democratising AI resources, and AI for economic growth & social good.
Major deliverables announced (voluntary/non-binding)
PIB lists the summit’s global deliverables as voluntary collaborative initiatives, including:
- Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI (voluntary, non-binding)
- Global AI Impact Commons
- Trusted AI Commons
- International Network of AI for Science Institutions
- AI for Social Empowerment Platform
- AI Workforce Development Playbook & Reskilling Principles
- Guiding Principles on Resilient & Efficient AI (and related knowledge outputs)
India’s “responsible AI” regulatory direction (deepfakes focus)
PIB notes that the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 formally define and regulate synthetically generated content, strengthening accountability in the digital ecosystem amid deepfake risks. This connects directly with the “Valid & Legitimate” pillar of MANAV and the declaration’s emphasis on secure and trusted AI.
Why is this important for UPSC
For GS Paper II (Governance/IR), MANAV + the New Delhi Declaration provide a ready framework to write about democratic, inclusive AI governance and multilateral norm-building with a Global South lens. For GS Paper III (S&T/Internal security/Economy), the focus on deepfakes, accountability, and resilient infrastructure helps link AI innovation to regulation, trust, and national security concerns like misinformation and cyber-enabled threats.
FAQs
Q1. What does MANAV stand for in AI governance?
MANAV stands for Moral and Ethical Systems, Accountable Governance, National Sovereignty, Accessible and Inclusive AI, and Valid and Legitimate Systems.
Q2. Where and when was MANAV unveiled?
PIB notes the India AI Impact Summit was held in New Delhi from 16–20 February 2026, and PM Modi outlined MANAV in his address on 19 February 2026.
Q3. What is the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact?
It is the summit declaration adopted in New Delhi (18–19 Feb 2026), endorsed by 89 countries and international organisations, setting seven cooperation pillars and listing voluntary global initiatives.
Q4. What are the seven Chakras (pillars) of the declaration?
They include human capital; access for social empowerment; secure & trusted AI; energy efficiency; AI for science; democratising AI resources; and AI for economic growth and social good.
Q5. Name three global initiatives announced under the declaration.
Examples include the Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI, Global AI Impact Commons, and Trusted AI Commons.
Q6. How does India propose addressing deepfake risks?
PIB states that the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 define and regulate synthetically generated content to strengthen accountability.
