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VOL. 8, ISSUE 3 (2026)
The accountability gap in AI-enabled welfare governance in India: State responsibility, human oversight and the right to challenge algorithmic decisions
Authors
Yogita
Abstract
The growing use of
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in welfare governance is transforming the way
governments identify beneficiaries, detect irregularities and deliver public services.
While AI can improve efficiency and administrative capacity, it also raises
concerns about transparency, human oversight and responsibility for decisions
affecting citizens. This article examines the accountability gap in AI-enabled
welfare governance in India, with particular attention to algorithmic
decision-making, data-related errors, institutional responsibility and
grievance redressal. Using a qualitative and exploratory approach based on
policy documents, government reports and relevant academic literature, the
study argues that technological efficiency alone cannot ensure accountable
welfare governance. It highlights the need for meaningful human review, transparent
decision-making, reliable data, clear institutional responsibility and accessible
mechanisms through which citizens can challenge adverse decisions. The article
concludes that India's transition towards AI-enabled welfare governance must be
guided by a citizen-centred approach in which technological innovation develops
alongside democratic accountability and social justice.
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Pages:72-79
How to cite this article:
Yogita "The accountability gap in AI-enabled welfare governance in India: State responsibility, human oversight and the right to challenge algorithmic decisions". International Journal of Social Research and Development, Vol 8, Issue 3, 2026, Pages 72-79
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