The Union Government has reinforced its regulatory framework to tackle the growing risks posed by synthetically generated information (SGI), including deepfakes and AI-generated content, while reiterating strict due diligence obligations for digital intermediaries under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
The move is part of a broader effort to ensure an open, safe, trusted and accountable cyberspace in India, amid increasing concerns over misuse of digital platforms and emerging technologies.
Table of Contents
Series of Advisories to Platforms
The government has issued multiple advisories over the past few years, directing intermediaries and social media platforms to strictly comply with statutory due diligence requirements.
An advisory issued on December 26, 2023, first stressed adherence to obligations under the IT Rules. This was followed by a March 15, 2024 advisory that specifically highlighted risks arising from tools enabling synthetic creation or manipulation of text, audio, and audiovisual content.
In November 2025, the government released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to curb the spread of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII). The SOP provides a structured response mechanism for victims, intermediaries and law enforcement agencies to ensure swift action against such content.
Subsequent advisories in December 2025 and February 2026 reiterated platform responsibility in preventing the spread of unlawful, obscene or sensitive content, including information relating to religious matters. Most recently, on March 16, 2026, the government issued a fresh advisory addressing abusive, defamatory, misleading and AI-generated content.
IT Rules Amended to Address AI Risks
A major development came on February 10, 2026, when the government amended the IT Rules to directly address harms arising from SGI, including deepfakes and other AI-driven content.
The amendments mandate intermediaries to deploy reasonable technical safeguards to prevent the creation and dissemination of unlawful AI-generated content. This includes content that is obscene, misleading, impersonates individuals, or is harmful to children.
Platforms are also required to ensure that permissible AI-generated content is clearly labelled and carries traceable metadata, enabling users to identify such material and avoid deception.
Stronger Compliance and User Accountability
The revised framework significantly enhances both platform accountability and user responsibility. Intermediaries must now actively inform users about the legal consequences of generating or sharing unlawful AI content.
The rules explicitly cover serious concerns such as child sexual exploitation material, non-consensual intimate imagery, impersonation and other harmful synthetic content. Platforms are required to prevent such material and act promptly upon detection.
Additionally, intermediaries are obligated to deploy automated tools or similar mechanisms to ensure users do not create or circulate illegal synthetic content in violation of existing laws.
Strict Timelines for Content Removal
One of the most stringent provisions requires intermediaries to remove unlawful content within three hours of receiving an आदेश from a competent court or a reasoned directive from the government or its authorized agency.
Government’s Position
The developments were outlined by Jitin Prasada in the Lok Sabha on March 25, 2026. He emphasized that the evolving regulatory framework is aimed at balancing innovation with accountability, while safeguarding users against the harms of rapidly advancing digital technologies.
With the rise of generative AI and deepfakes, the government’s latest measures signal a decisive push towards tighter oversight of online platforms and stronger protections for users in India’s digital ecosystem.
