ALGORITHMIC BIAS AND CONSTITUTIONAL MORALITY: EXAMINING THE NEED FOR AN AI ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK IN INDIA

Driven by rapid technological integration, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transitioned from an efficiency tool into a primary driver of public administration and private enterprise. However, its widespread deployment has exposed a critical vulnerability: algorithmic bias. When machine learning models rely on historical data, they risk codifying and amplifying systemic inequalities, converting societal prejudices into automated decisions. In India, this technological mismatch poses a severe challenge to constitutional morality—the foundational ethos of justice, liberty, and equality enshrined in the Constitution. Left unchecked, biased algorithms directly undermine fundamental rights, particularly the guarantees of equality before the law and non-discrimination under Articles 14 and 15, as well as the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21. This research article examines the growing friction between automated decision-making and constitutional protections in the Indian context. Utilizing a doctrinal and comparative methodology, the study analyses emerging domestic jurisprudence alongside global AI governance benchmarks, such as the European Union's AI Act. The findings reveal deep-seated regulatory gaps within India’s current legal framework, particularly the Information Technology Act, which lacks the specificity required to address algorithmic opacity, proxy discrimination, and developer accountability. Furthermore, the research demonstrates that treating technology as entirely neutral masks its disparate impact on marginalized communities. Ultimately, this paper argues that preserving constitutional morality in the digital age requires moving beyond voluntary ethical guidelines. It proposes a robust, legally binding AI Accountability Framework for India that mandates algorithmic auditing, clear data-provenance standards, and independent oversight bodies to ensure that AI development remains tethered to democratic values and constitutional guarantees.