Centre moves to regulate online content, protect minors from obscenity

Content rated U/A 13+ or higher would require parental control mechanisms, while adult-only content must implement a reliable age verification system.

• Centre plans new IT rules to curb online obscenity and regulate digital content
• New rules propose age-based content ratings and parental controls.
• Draft aims to balance free speech with public morality and protection of minors

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The Centre is reportedly planning to introduce draft rules aimed at regulating online content and curbing obscenity. The proposed IT (Digital Code) Rules, 2026, seek to set clear boundaries for digital content, including restrictions on attacks on religions or communities, incitement, false claims, and suggestive material.

The rules also propose classifying all digital content by age suitability, The Indian Express has reported.

The move follows a Supreme Court directive last March, in which the Solicitor General was asked to draft proposals that would safeguard free speech under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution while ensuring constitutionally permissible "reasonable restrictions" under Article 19(2).

This was in the backdrop of a controversy involving social media influencers Ranveer Allahbadia (aka ‘Beer Biceps’) and Samay Raina, over comments made on a YouTube show. Allahbadia’s obscene parental joke on Raina’s India Got Latent had sparked nationwide criticism, although he later apologized. A related case is scheduled to be heard on January 29.

According to sources cited in the report, the draft rules have been proposed by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry under Section 87(1) of the IT Act, 2000, read alongside Sections 67, 67A, 67B, and 66B, which prescribe punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene content electronically. The draft draws heavily from the Programme Code under the Cable TV Network Rules, 1994, and defines digital content as obscene if it is "lascivious, appeals to prurient interest, or tends to deprave and corrupt persons."

The draft outlines a comprehensive list of prohibitions for digital content.

>> It must not offend good taste or decency, attack religions or communities, contain defamatory or false material, incite crime or violence, glorify criminality or obscenity, or feature indecent, vulgar, or offensive themes.

>> It also bars content that maligns individuals or certain social groups, denigrates women, children, or persons with disabilities, or uses slanderous or derogatory portrayals of ethnic, linguistic, or regional communities.

The rules further propose mandatory content classification based on themes such as violence, nudity, sex, language, drugs, horror, and obscenity. All digital content would carry an age-appropriateness label, including U (all ages), 7+, 13+, 16+, adult-only, and specialised categories for professionals like doctors or scientists. Content must prominently display its content descriptor and age rating at the outset to help users make informed viewing decisions.

Content rated U/A 13+ or higher would require parental control mechanisms, while adult-only content must implement a reliable age verification system.

All provisions of the existing IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 would continue to apply alongside the new draft rules.

The draft IT (Digital Code) Rules, 2026, reflect the government’s effort to balance freedom of expression with public morality and protection of minors, aiming to create a safer and more responsible digital environment for users of all ages.