RBI FREE-AI Framework
"Framework for Responsible and Ethical Enablement of AI" — issued by the Reserve Bank of India in August 2025. The most operationally detailed AI governance framework from any Indian regulator so far.
If you build AI for Indian financial services, FREE-AI is your primary reference point. It also matters beyond the sector: it shares governance vocabulary and principles with the national AI Governance Guidelines, 2025. So it's a useful lens on where India's overall AI governance thinking is headed.
It is a committee report with recommendations. It is not a binding rule, though RBI may use it to shape future directions. Do you serve banks, NBFCs or payment providers as an AI vendor? Expect FREE-AI expectations to show up in your contracts, even where the rules don't apply to you directly.
In plain English: if your AI touches money in India, read FREE-AI first. It covers lending, credit decisioning, fraud, and market operations. That includes KYC — the identity checks a regulated firm must run on customers. Read the national Guidelines for context.
Committee report. Creates no obligation, though it may shape future RBI directions.
Advisory — not binding — checked 2026-08-18
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