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Govt of India looks into applicability of FDI Policy for OTT Platforms
Mumbai: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) provided for FDI up to 26 per cent under the Government approval route for entities involved in uploading/streaming of news and current affairs through digital media in a press note dated 18 September, 2019. DPIIT later issued a clarification in this regard in public communication No.5(4)/2019-FDI Policy dated 16 October , 2020.
Since then, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has received several representations from Chambers of Commerce and OTT platforms (covered by the IT Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021) requesting clarification on whether the aforementioned decision would apply to OTT platforms hosting digital feeds of news channels.
It has been stated in the representations that OTT platforms only provide a platform for carriage of third party news and current affairs content of news channels on a “as is” basis, with no editorial intervention, and that OTT platforms are not involved in any aggregation/ curation of the news and current affairs content provided by such channels, but only host the news feed provided by such entities, much like a DTH or cable service provider.
The Ministry has looked into the matter. The goal of the Government’s decision, as stated in the aforementioned Press Note, is to ensure that entities engaged in the activity of publishing/ curating/ aggregating news and current affairs content and uploading/ streaming the same via digital media have an FDI limit of up to 26 per cent through the Government approval route.
TV News Channels granted permission under the MIB’s Uplinking and Downlinking Guidelines, 2022 (and earlier Guidelines of 2005 and 2011), as well as their entities operating digital news content, are already covered by the Central Government’s FDI policy. As a result, if an OTT platform hosts the digital feed of a TV news channel (permission granted under the current Guidelines), the FDI limit of 26 per cent with Government approval route does not apply to the OTT platform for the sole activity of hosting such feed.
In its notice dated 10 March 2023, the MIB stated, “It is accordingly clarified that when an OTT platform is hosting digital feed of a TV news channel granted permission under the extant Uplinking & Downlinking Guidelines, only as a medium and makes it available to its subscribers/ users, such a OTT platform is not covered under the 26 per cent FDI rule.”
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
