The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2025, under the IT Act, 2000.
The rules were published on 22nd October 2025 and will come into force on 15th November 2025.
What's New?
The amendment revises Rule 3(1)(d) of the 2021 IT Rules, tightening the process for handling unlawful online content.
Intermediaries—such as social media and digital platforms—must now remove or disable access to unlawful information within 36 hours of receiving official notice.
Content removal can only be triggered by:
An order from a competent court, or
A written intimation from an authorised government officer (Joint Secretary rank or above).
Police requests must come from a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) or higher.
All takedown orders will undergo monthly review by a senior government official (Secretary rank or above) to ensure actions are lawful, necessary, and proportionate. Each request must also clearly state the legal basis, offence, and specific online location to be removed.
This amendment enhances clarity, transparency, and due process in India’s digital regulation framework—ensuring a balance between free expression and responsible content moderation.
Effective Date: 15 November 2025
Notification No.: G.S.R. 775(E)
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