The Centre has released the draft Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026, consolidating various guidelines issued under the erstwhile Telegraph Act, 1885, within the framework of the Telecommunications Act, 2023. According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, these rules are designed to simplify and harmonise the existing regime while promoting ease of doing business in the television and radio broadcasting sector. The proposed rules seek to bring together multiple legacy guidelines governing satellite television channels, Direct-to-Home (DTH) platforms, Headend-in-the-Sky (HITS) services, private FM radio, community radio stations and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services into one consolidated framework. Among the key features of the draft rules are the creation of a unified regulatory framework in place of multiple guidelines, digital implementation of the authorisation process, simplified authorisation procedures, removal of the requirement to sign a Grant of Permission Agreement (GOPA), and the introduction of a transparent adjudication mechanism. The Telecommunications Act, 2023 replaced the colonial-era Indian Telegraph Act of 1885, providing a modern legal framework for India's expanding telecommunications and broadcasting sectors.
The draft rules mandate specific programming durations for both broadcasting platforms. TV channels must broadcast content on themes of national importance and social relevance for a minimum of 30 minutes daily between 6 am and 11 pm, while radio stations will have to dedicate one hour for the same purpose every day. As reported by Business Standard, while airing of such content was made obligatory for TV four years ago under the 'Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Television Channels in India, 2022', no time slot was specified in the rules. The current FM Policy Phase-III required private radio stations to broadcast 'public interest announcements' for one hour every day 'as may be required by the Central government/state government'. Under the draft rules, every authorised private radio service should 'broadcast programmes focusing on themes of national importance and social relevance, in such manner as the Centre may specify, for a minimum duration of one hour per day', making the nature of public interest announcements clearer. For private FM radio operators, the ministry has proposed a minimum one-hour daily programming requirement on themes of national importance and social relevance, with radio stations also needing to ensure that at least 20% of their daily broadcast comprises local content.
The draft rules significantly strengthen the regulatory framework by changing the current 'may undertake public service broadcasting' to 'shall' for TV channels, making the obligation more airtight. According to Business Standard, the suggested themes of content education and spread of literacy; agriculture and rural development; health and family welfare; science and technology; women's welfare; welfare of weaker sections of society; protection of environmental and cultural heritage; and national integration have been retained in the draft. The ministry stated that the obligation will exempt certain categories where compliance may not be feasible. Notably, a clause in existing television guidelines that the Centre may issue a general advisory to channels for telecast of 'content in national interest, and the channel shall comply with the same' finds no mention in the draft rules. The draft also introduces stricter operational requirements, with television channels required to remain operational throughout the validity of their authorisation and channels remaining off air for more than 60 consecutive days needing to inform the government and provide reasons.
The draft rules impose comprehensive operational and security requirements on broadcasters. Authorised entities would be required to preserve recordings of programmes, including advertisements, for 90 days and submit them to the government or designated agencies when directed. Any change in ownership resulting in a change of control or complete change in management would require prior government approval. The proposed framework outlines authorisation validity periods of 10 years for television channels, teleports and community radio services, 10 years for television news agencies, 15 years for private radio services and 20 years for television channel distribution services. Authorised entities, their key managerial personnel and governing body members would be required to remain security-cleared throughout the validity of their authorisations, with foreign personnel deployed for installation, maintenance or operation of broadcasting networks needing prior security clearance before deployment. The draft also introduces stricter operational requirements, with television channels required to remain operational throughout the validity of their authorisation and channels remaining off air for more than 60 consecutive days needing to inform the government and provide reasons.
The draft rules formally integrate Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services within the new regulatory framework. Entities holding an internet service authorisation under telecom regulations or a registration as a multi-system operator would be able to offer IPTV services after filing a declaration with the government. The ministry has invited comments and suggestions till July 27, 2026 from stakeholders. The draft rules will maintain existing restrictions on private radio news broadcasting, with private radio players only able to broadcast the 'unaltered news bulletins of Akashwani', other than certain non-news subjects including sports events, traffic and weather information, examinations, and results. According to Business Standard, a long-standing demand of the FM industry to allow it to air news would remain unmet if the draft rules are approved. The ministry emphasized that these rules are designed to simplify and harmonise the existing regime while promoting ease of doing business in the television and radio broadcasting sector, with the industry now having a unified and significantly simplified rule book.
