I&B Ministry
Government unveils unified broadcasting rules under Telecom Act, seeks feedback
Draft framework merges TV, radio and IPTV norms, allows voluntary migration to new regime
NEW DELHI: India’s broadcasting rulebook is getting a channel makeover. The government has released the draft Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026, bringing multiple regulations governing television and radio services under a single framework aligned with the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
Replying to a starred question in the Lok Sabha, Union minister for information and broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said the proposed rules aim to simplify regulation while improving ease of doing business for broadcasters.
The draft rules consolidate six existing policy frameworks into one. These include guidelines governing satellite television uplinking and downlinking, Direct-to-Home (DTH) services, Headend-in-the-Sky (HITS) broadcasting, private FM radio, community radio stations and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services.
According to the government, the unified framework is intended to replace multiple overlapping guidelines with a single, streamlined rulebook for the television and radio broadcasting sector.
The draft rules have been published on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s website, with stakeholders invited to submit comments and suggestions by July 27, 2026.
To ensure a smooth transition, the government has proposed a voluntary migration mechanism. Existing licence holders and permission holders will be able to either migrate to the new authorisation framework or continue operating under their current licences until they choose to transition.
The proposed framework also includes provisions aimed at expanding access to television and radio services across the country, with a particular focus on strengthening community radio and improving broadcasting coverage in rural and remote areas.
The government said the draft rules are designed to support wider availability of television and radio services, including community radio stations, in underserved regions such as Chhindwara district in Madhya Pradesh, alongside other remote parts of the country.
If finalised after the consultation process, the rules will mark one of the most comprehensive overhauls of India’s television and radio regulatory framework, bringing broadcasting services under a unified regime for the first time.
