MeitY Introduces DEPA Framework to Secure Data Sharing for AI Training

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has unveiled a new framework aimed at facilitating secure data sharing for artificial intelligence (AI) training in India. The initiative, called the Handbook on Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA), was introduced at a high-level roundtable event held in Bengaluru on October 31, 2026.

Designed to bolster India’s AI capabilities, the DEPA framework addresses critical issues that typically limit data collaboration, including concerns about privacy, intellectual property rights, and institutional control over data assets. By providing a techno-legal structure, DEPA enables organizations to share valuable datasets for AI training purposes while maintaining governance over their information.

S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, officially launched the handbook with support from the iSPIRT Foundation. He emphasized that India's ambitions in AI require responsible and secure use of data. Krishnan stated, "The DEPA Training Framework enables trusted data collaboration at scale, unlocking access to large-scale datasets for AI training while safeguarding privacy, commercial confidentiality and institutional control." This approach is expected to enhance the quality and volume of data available for AI development across sectors.

Key to the framework’s design is a combination of contractual permissions, controlled computing environments, and privacy-enhancing technologies. These measures help ensure that data shared for AI training is used only for agreed-upon purposes. Additionally, DEPA integrates data provenance mechanisms, which track the origin, permissions, and applications of data throughout the AI training lifecycle. This feature improves transparency and accountability, critical factors for maintaining trust among data providers and users.

Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, highlighted a distinctive aspect of the DEPA framework: it allows AI models to access data without the need to transfer the underlying datasets themselves. "Under DEPA, the model travels to the data, rather than the data travelling to the model," Sood explained. This method facilitates secure, multi-party, and even cross-border data collaborations, potentially speeding up research and innovation. He described DEPA as a valuable contribution by India to global science diplomacy, helping to build an inclusive and responsible AI ecosystem worldwide.

The launch event also featured remarks from Sharad Sharma, Co-founder of the iSPIRT Foundation, who compared the introduction of DEPA to the historic rollout of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in 2016, highlighting its potential impact on India's data economy. Kris Gopalakrishnan, Co-founder of Infosys and Chairman of Axilor Ventures, noted that the framework could provide researchers access to diverse and high-quality datasets. This access would enable the creation of more accurate and resilient AI models while respecting the rights of data owners and contributors.

The roundtable gathering included representatives from government agencies, industry leaders, technology experts, academic institutions, research organizations, and media professionals. Discussions centered on how trusted data collaboration can accelerate AI innovation and serve public interests.

India’s AI sector is growing rapidly, with increasing demand for large, diverse datasets to train advanced models. However, data sharing has often been hindered by legal and ethical considerations. DEPA’s framework aims to resolve these challenges by establishing clear guidelines and technical safeguards that protect all parties involved. This development aligns with global trends emphasizing data privacy and ethical AI practices.

By enabling institutions to collaborate securely on data for AI training, DEPA could play a vital role in strengthening India’s position in the global AI landscape. Its deployment may encourage more organizations to participate in data sharing initiatives, fostering innovation while ensuring compliance with data protection norms.