IT Intermediary Amended Rules 2025

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2025 to amend the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (“IT Rules, 2021”). These amendments strengthen the framework of due diligence obligations of intermediaries under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”). Specifically, the amendments to Rule 3(1)(d) introduce additional safeguards to ensure that removal of unlawful content by intermediaries is carried out in a transparent, proportionate and accountable manner. The amended Rules will come into effect from 15th November, 2025. Read here.

The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, as amended, are a set of Indian regulations for digital intermediaries and publishers. They establish due diligence requirements, including a three-tiered grievance redressal system and accountability for content on platforms. Key amendments have addressed areas like online gaming, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and have clarified rules for content removal and user appeals to a Grievance Appellate Committee. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

nformation Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2025

For intermediaries (e.g., social media, e-commerce)

Due diligence: Must take “reasonable measures” to ensure users are aware of and comply with rules against hosting unlawful content.
Unlawful content: Must remove unlawful content when they have “actual knowledge” of it, either through a court order or notification from the government.
User grievances: Must have a grievance officer who acknowledges complaints within 24 hours and resolves them within 15 days.
Appeals: Users can appeal the decision of the Grievance Officer to a Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC).
Significant Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs): Have additional due diligence obligations, including providing additional information to the government when requested. [1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9]

For digital media publishers

Content and ethics: Must adhere to journalistic standards and rules outlined by the Press Council of India and the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act.
Grievance redressal: Have a three-level system: self-regulation by the publisher, self-regulation by a self-regulating body, and an oversight mechanism.
Content classification: Publishers must provide a content descriptor and classification rating (e.g., for age) for all online curated content, including mandatory parental locks for content U/A 13+ or higher. [3]

Recent amendments and specific rules

Online gaming: Explicit rules have been added for “online gaming intermediaries,” including requirements for registration, KYC, and having a physical presence in India.
AI: Recent advisories and draft rules have been issued to address the use of AI, including LLMs, requiring measures to ensure the labeling of synthetically generated content.
User rights: Amendments have been made to ensure that the rules respect user rights under the Indian constitution, such as privacy, transparency, and due process. [2, 4, 7, 10, 11, 12]