MAM
Govt urges Asci to improve self-regulatory mechanism
NEW DELHI: The Government today asked the Advertising Standards Council of India (Asci) to improve the self-regulatory mechanism by speeding up the processes and compliance of its codes for advertising content.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni urged Asci to specifically review consumer complaints on misleading advertisements, thus making the self-regulation machinery more effective.
“Self regulation is an evolving system in response to the growing aspirations of the consumer or the common man. Advertising is the principle motivator of growth in consumer demand, thus making the role of a creative person extremely significant. The current self-regulation mechanism has evolved as a result of the concern shown by the consumer. The key intention here is that all of us should sensitise ourselves to ensure that 1.2 billion people can enjoy the freedom entrusted to us,” Soni said.
Soni felt that public good would be served better if self regulation was put in place at the content generation stage. She wanted the various bodies in the broadcast sector which had adopted self-regulatory mechanisms to increase their base by enrolling more members who accept the mechanism. This would ensure the proactive and effective participation of smaller players in the sector and also reflect the true status of the broadcasting sector. This would make self regulation responsive to the needs of the consumers.
She said it is critical for every stakeholder in the industry to work with sensitivity towards the hopes and aspirations of the people. Self Regulation as a process needed to be in a state of constant evolution so as to address critical concerns that arose from time to time. Advertising needed to be sensitive to the socio-cultural requirements of society especially women, children, disadvantaged and marginalized communities, and ‘commodification’ needed to be prevented since advertisements influenced social behavior.
The Minister also expressed concern at the rising number of complaints received by Asci this year as compared to last year. She mentioned that against 190 advertisements, 777 complaints had been received this year as against 200 complaints received vis-?-vis 159 advertisements last year.
Minister of State for Food, Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution KV Thomas said in his address that the ministry is reviewing consumer complaints on misleading advertisements and debating how to manage this issue. “In this process, we are considering a legal requirement as well as an inter-ministerial committee to look into the issue of misleading and false advertisements,” Thomas said.
Appreciating the work being done by Asci in self-regulation, he said “We are open to working with Asci for a collaborative effort to take this entire matter forward.”
Asci chairman I Venkat gave an update about the various initiatives undertaken by the council in recent days. He said, “As part of our evolving self-regulatory system, we have increased the frequency of our Consumer Complaints Council‘s meetings to twice a month from this month. The fast track service announced recently has already received positive response. The CCC has already reviewed eight advertisements until now under the fast track system. The support we expect from Government will ensure that Asci continue to create global standards and international benchmarks in self-regulation of advertising content.”
The Conference also comprised three technical sessions to discuss issues and solutions related to decency in advertising, honesty and truthfulness in advertising, and food and beverage advertising. Each interactive session had speakers representing industry, regulators and activists and was moderated by TV anchors with expertise in the field of advertising.
It was pointed out that there are several laws regulating the content of advertisements in the country and the consumers are protected from misleading and deceptive advertisements through the enforcement of such laws.
At the same time, the initiative taken by the advertisers, advertising agencies, media and other concerned parties to impose self regulation on themselves through a voluntary code of conduct on the content of advertisements had resulted in institutionalising a robust self regulatory mechanism under the Asci umbrella in its 26 years of service to the consumers and the advertising sector. It has not only addressed the issue of promptly resolving intra-company disputes on the content of advertisements but also taken action on individual complaints on advertisements raised by citizens and aware consumers.
When you plan to buy medical insurance for your family, the first question is often about savings. You may assume that buying online automatically means paying less, but that is only part of the picture. The real issue is not just whether the premium looks lower, but whether the policy gives you suitable family health insurance without adding avoidable costs later.
Buying online can sometimes appear more budget-friendly because you can compare plans, review features, and complete the process without depending entirely on offline assistance.
Still, a lower visible price does not always mean better value. To understand whether you can truly save more, you need to look at the full buying experience and the policy terms together.
Why Online Purchase Can Look More Economical
When you explore family health insurance online, you usually get access to plan details in a more direct and organised way. This can make the buying journey feel simpler and more transparent.
A few reasons online purchases may seem cost-effective include:
● Easier comparison of policy features
● Direct access to premium details
● The ability to review inclusions and exclusions at your own pace
● Fewer chances of making a rushed decision
● More control over the plan selection process
This does not mean every online option is automatically cheaper. It simply means the online route may help you assess choices more carefully, and that itself can influence how much value you get from the policy you choose.
Saving Money is Not Only About a Lower Premium
A lower premium often catches your attention first, but that should not be the only measure of savings. If you buy medical insurance based only on what looks affordable at the start, you may overlook conditions that matter later.
A family health insurance policy should be judged on overall value, including:
● The scope of cover
● Waiting period terms
● Exclusions
● Room eligibility conditions
● Sub-limits, if any
● Claim-related terms
● Renewal conditions
If the premium is lower but the policy has stricter internal conditions, the apparent saving may not feel meaningful when you actually need hospitalisation support.
So, the better question is not only whether online purchase costs less, but whether it helps you select a plan that remains financially sensible over time.
Comparing Plans Online Can Prevent Overspending
One clear advantage of the online route is that it allows you to compare different options without pressure. This can help you avoid paying for features you may not need or missing features that matter for your family.
Before you buy medical insurance online, look closely at:
● Who can be covered under the plan
● How the sum insured works for the family
● Whether day care procedures are included
● How pre-existing illness rules are explained
● Whether add-ons are optional or built in
● How clearly the policy wording is presented
This level of comparison can support better decision-making. In many cases, savings come not only from the premium itself but from choosing a policy with fewer surprises.
Online Discounts Should be Viewed Carefully
Online discounts can make a plan look attractive, but they should always be read alongside the policy details. A discount may reduce the upfront cost, yet the true worth of the policy depends on what it covers and how it responds during a claim.
When reviewing discounted online plans, check whether the policy has:
● Treatment-specific limits
● Room rent restrictions
● Co-payment clauses
● Disease-wise waiting periods
● Claim deductions linked to the hospital category
● Limited cover for selected benefits
These points are important because a policy that looks cheaper at purchase may involve more out-of-pocket spending later. That is why discount-led buying should be replaced with detail-led buying.
Final Thoughts
Yes, buying online can sometimes help you save more when choosing family health insurance, but only if you look beyond the headline price. The online route may give you better visibility, easier comparison, and more time to review the policy terms.
That can support smarter choices and may reduce the chances of paying for a plan that does not suit your family well.
If you want to buy medical insurance online, treat savings as more than a discount. The real advantage lies in choosing family health insurance that balances affordability, clarity, and meaningful coverage for your household.
