Draft Telecommunication Rules for Broadcasting Services Published for Consultation
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has published the draft Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026 for public consultation until July 27, 2026. These rules represent the implementation of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 for the broadcasting sector, replacing the archaic Telegraph Act of 1885.
The draft rules consolidate six existing guidelines into a unified regulatory framework: Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Satellite Television Channels in India (November 9, 2022); Guidelines for Direct-to-Home (DTH) Broadcasting Services (March 15, 2001, as amended); Guidelines for Headend-in-the-Sky (HITS) Broadcasting Services (November 26, 2009); Policy Guidelines for FM Radio Broadcasting Services through Private Agencies (Phase III, July 25, 2011, as amended up to September 10, 2024); Revised Policy Guidelines for Community Radio Stations in India (February 13, 2024); and Guidelines for Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Services (September 8, 2008).
Key features of the draft rules include maintaining continuity by harmonizing and rationalizing existing terms and conditions of authorization while enabling reforms. The rules significantly promote ease of doing business through a single regulatory framework replacing multiple guidelines, digital implementation of the authorization process, simplified authorization procedures, removal of the requirement for signing Grant of Permission Agreement (GOPA), and provision of a transparent adjudication mechanism.
Once notified, these rules will replace various existing guidelines governing broadcasting services, creating a unified and simplified rule book for the television and radio broadcasting sector. The ministry is seeking inputs, comments, or suggestions from the public and inter-ministerial consultation, which can be sent to the Under Secretary (BP&L) at the provided email address usbpl-moib[at]gov[dot]in or physical address at 3rd Floor, Kartavya Bhawan-II, New Delhi – 110001.