New Delhi, October 23 (Udaipur Kiran) — The Central Government has announced major amendments to the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, introducing stricter provisions under the Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code, 2021. The new rules will come into effect from November 15, 2025, as per a notification issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
The move aims to strengthen control over online content related to national sovereignty, integrity, state security, public order, and morality.
Key Changes in the IT Rules
Under the revised framework, Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules, 2021 has been completely replaced. According to the amendment, if any social media platform, website, or online service provider (intermediary) hosts content that violates any law of the land, it will be required to remove such content within 36 hours of receiving official notice.
Conditions for ‘Actual Knowledge’
The amendment defines “actual knowledge” under which intermediaries must act swiftly to remove unlawful content. It applies only in two situations:
When directed by a competent court order, or
Upon receiving a written notice from the Central or State Government or its authorised agency.
Only a senior official can issue such a written directive — at least of the rank of Joint Secretary or equivalent in the Central Government. For State Governments, the officer must hold the rank of Director or equivalent, while in the case of Police authorities, the notice must come from an officer not below the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG), specifically authorised for this purpose.
Accountability and Monthly Review
The Government has also mandated a monthly review of all such takedown orders by Secretaries of the concerned departments. This process will ensure that every directive issued is necessary, proportionate, and consistent with the spirit of the law.
Each written communication must clearly specify:
The legal basis and the section of the Act under which the action is being taken,
The nature of the unlawful activity, and
The specific URL or digital link to be removed or blocked.
Stronger Oversight on Digital Platforms
With these updated guidelines, the Centre seeks to ensure greater transparency and accountability among intermediaries, including social media companies, OTT platforms, and online news portals.
Officials said the objective is to balance freedom of expression with responsible digital conduct, ensuring that platforms do not become mediums for the spread of misinformation, hate speech, or content that threatens national security and public harmony.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
