AI and Governance in India: Bureaucratic Decision-Making and Administrative Ethics

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic idea; it is already influencing how governments function and how citizens experience public services. In India, AI is being introduced in areas such as agriculture advisory systems, health diagnostics, welfare delivery, and even judicial case management. These tools promise efficiency and speed, but they also bring important questions: What happens to human judgment when algorithms make decisions? Who is accountable when automated systems fail or show bias? And how can democratic values be protected in a technology-driven environment?
This paper explores how AI is entering the everyday work of Indian bureaucracy and what it means for administrative ethics. It highlights the opportunities AI creates for more transparent and efficient governance, while also addressing the risks of over-reliance on machines in a diverse and unequal society. The study argues for responsible and ethical integration of AI that supports, rather than replaces, human judgment in governance.