Author: Gowrika K, Dr. Patteswari D & Dr. Sangeetha S R
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/Bijmrd/04042012
Abstract: Chatbots for mental health that use artificial intelligence (AI) are rapidly expanding in India as scalable alternatives to address the significant treatment gap in the country. Growing quickly in India as scalable alternatives to overcome the significant treatment deficit in the nation. Concerns about clinical safety, ethical standards, accountability, and data privacy have been raised, yet, considering their deployment has taken place without a specific legislative framework.
Aim: In light of emerging global best practices, this study critically analyses the legislative deficiencies governing AI-based mental health interventions in India and proposes a contextually relevant policy framework.
Methods: A scoping review methodology was employed. A systematic analysis and thematic synthesis of peer-reviewed literature, ethical analyses, policy papers, and regulatory frameworks published between 2017 and 2025 were conducted, with a focus on their relevance to the Indian mental healthcare system.
Results: The assessment found substantial regulatory gaps in current Indian legislation, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (2023) and the Mental Healthcare Act (2017). Unregulated AI mental health chatbots may generate clinically unsafe responses; perpetuate cultural bias, compromise privacy, and obscure accountability. Comparative analysis indicates that mental health AI systems are increasingly classified as high-risk technologies requiring multi-layered oversight in several Western jurisdictions.
Conclusion: A dedicated, risk-based regulatory framework for AI mental health systems is of urgent importance in India. Ensuring that AI technologies expand access to mental healthcare without compromising patient safety or dignity requires an adaptive governance framework integrating clinical validation, ethics-of-care principles, and human oversight.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Mental Health Policy; Chatbots; Psychotherapy; Regulation; India.
Page No: 84-95