Artificial Intelligence and Constitutional Rights in India: Regulating Algorithmic Decision-Making, Bias and Accountability

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into policing, welfare administration, employment, credit, education, healthcare, judicial and legal systems, and public administration. Algorithmic systems may improve efficiency, consistency and the processing of large quantities of information, but they may also reproduce or amplify discriminatory patterns embedded in historical data and institutional practices. Where governmental decisions affecting individuals are informed or generated by algorithms, constitutional concerns arise regarding equality, non-discrimination, privacy, dignity, autonomy, freedom, procedural fairness and access to remedies. India does not presently possess a single comprehensive AI-specific constitutional accountability framework. Nevertheless, Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution, together with administrative-law principles and the emerging data-protection and responsible-AI framework, provide a substantial foundation for regulating rights-affecting AI. This paper argues for a rights-based, risk-sensitive Indian framework incorporating algorithmic impact assessment, transparency, meaningful explanation, human oversight, independent auditing, institutional accountability and effective remedies.