India online safety rules are being strengthened as the government steps up measures to protect children and other users from harmful digital content, cyber risks and emerging threats linked to artificial intelligence. The government said its policies are aimed at ensuring an open, safe, trusted and accountable internet, with recent measures focusing on child safety, privacy protection, faster content removal and stronger platform responsibilities.

The Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, form the core legal framework governing online safety and intermediary responsibilities in India. The government has also highlighted the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and recent amendments to the IT Rules as part of its broader approach to digital safety.

India Online Safety Rules Tighten Platform Responsibilities

Under the IT Rules, intermediaries are required to observe due diligence and inform users that they must not host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, update or share content that is harmful to children or violates applicable laws.

Recent amendments require social media platforms and other intermediaries to remove unlawful content within three hours of receiving an order from a competent court or a reasoned intimation from the appropriate government or its agency.

The government has also outlined specific obligations related to content involving nudity, impersonation and other sensitive material. In cases involving certain complaints about content featuring full or partial nudity, exposed private areas or artificially morphed images, intermediaries must take reasonable and practicable measures to remove or disable access within two hours.

Government Targets Harmful Content and OTT Platforms

The government said it has taken action against online platforms and OTT services over unlawful and obscene content. In the last two years, 50 OTT platforms have been disabled for public access in India for displaying obscene content and violating provisions including Sections 67 and 67A of the IT Act, Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.

The government also said it has taken note of reports alleging the dissemination of advertisements linked to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on social media platforms and sought a detailed report from the concerned intermediary. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has also issued notices to the concerned platforms.

India Strengthens AI-Generated Content Safeguards

The government has also expanded its regulatory focus to address risks associated with AI-generated content and synthetically generated information. Amendments to the IT Rules introduce requirements for clear labelling and traceable metadata for permissible AI-generated content, allowing users to identify synthetically generated material.

The framework also strengthens platform accountability and requires greater user awareness about the legal consequences of unlawful AI-generated content. The rules specifically cover harmful material including CSAM, non-consensual intimate imagery and impersonation.

Platforms are required to deploy reasonable and appropriate technical measures, including automated tools or other mechanisms, to prevent users from creating, modifying, publishing or sharing synthetically generated information that violates applicable laws.

Significant Social Media Intermediaries are also required to make reasonable efforts to deploy technical measures to proactively identify content depicting rape, child sexual abuse or conduct, as well as content identical to information previously removed.

Child Privacy and Digital Addiction Remain Key Concerns

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, provides a framework for protecting children's privacy online. It mandates parental consent for processing children's personal data and prohibits practices considered detrimental to children's well-being, including tracking, behavioural monitoring and targeted advertising directed at children.

The government has also highlighted digital addiction as a serious challenge affecting children and young people. The Economic Survey 2025-26 noted potential impacts on cognitive development, academic performance, workplace productivity, social connectedness and mental health, alongside risks linked to cyberbullying, compulsive gaming, social media and online gambling.

Cyber Awareness Reaches 11.37 Lakh Participants

Alongside regulatory measures, the government is expanding cyber awareness initiatives through the Information Security Education and Awareness project. So far, 6,650 awareness workshops have been conducted nationwide, reaching more than 11.37 lakh participants, including students, teachers, law enforcement officials, government personnel and members of the public.

The government has also highlighted digital safety initiatives in education. The PRAGYATA Guidelines provide a framework for safe online learning and responsible use of social media and electronic devices. CBSE has introduced digital etiquette and cybersecurity training initiatives, while NCERT has incorporated cyber safety into its curriculum.

The measures were outlined by Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw in the Lok Sabha on July 22, 2026, as the government continues to strengthen its approach to c child protection and accountability across India's digital ecosystem.

India has temporarily enforced a Telegram Ban in India ahead of the NEET UG 2026 Re-examination, citing concerns that the platform could be used by organized cheating networks to target candidates. The restriction, recommended by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and implemented through directions issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), will remain in effect until June 22, 2026. According to the NTA, the measure is intended to support the safe and secure conduct of the NEET re-examination scheduled for June 21, 2026, and prevent the spread of fraudulent claims related to exam papers.

Telegram Ban in India Limited to Examination Period

The temporary Telegram Ban in India has been imposed under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The restriction is limited to a defined period covering the examination day and its immediate aftermath. In addition to restricting access to the platform, authorities have directed Telegram to disable its Telegram Message Editing Feature in India until June 30, 2026. The NTA stated that the feature has been misused in the past to create misleading claims of Paper Leak incidents after examinations had already taken place. The agency noted that the temporary measures were adopted after other enforcement actions had already been pursued and were intended to address concerns during the examination window with the minimum restriction considered necessary.

Coordinated Action Against NEET UG 2026 Exam Fraud Networks

The NTA credited the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, for coordinating action against channels and groups allegedly involved in Exam Fraud targeting NEET candidates. According to the agency, I4C worked with state law enforcement agencies and MeitY to identify and remove numerous Telegram channels, groups, and bots that openly advertised access to examination papers or related services. Authorities said several channels used names such as "PAPER LEAKED NEET," "Re-NEET 2026," and similar variations while demanding payments from candidates and their families in exchange for purported access to examination material. The NTA reiterated that no examination paper was available outside the secured examination process and described such offers as fraudulent.

Why the Message Editing Feature Was Restricted

The direction related to the Telegram Message Editing Feature addresses concerns about fabricated evidence of examination leaks. According to the NTA, Telegram administrators can edit previously published messages while retaining the original posting timestamp. Authorities stated that this capability has been used in multiple examinations to replace earlier content with actual question papers after an exam had concluded, creating the appearance that the material had been shared before the test. The temporary restriction on editing existing messages is intended to prevent the creation and circulation of such misleading content during the post-examination period.

Law Enforcement Investigations Continue

Authorities also pointed to ongoing enforcement actions in several states. The Bihar Police Economic Offences Unit issued a public advisory on June 9, warning candidates against fraudulent claims of pre-examination paper access circulating through Telegram and other online platforms. Separately, the Ahmedabad City Cyber Crime Branch arrested members of an alleged inter-state cyber fraud network accused of operating multiple Telegram channels linked to the same scheme. Investigators reported documented transactions worth approximately ₹1.5 crore and outreach to nearly 1,000 mobile numbers within a month.

NTA Reassures Candidates

The NTA acknowledged that the restriction affects users who rely on Telegram for educational, professional, and personal communication. However, the agency emphasized that the measure is temporary and focused on protecting the integrity of the NEET UG 2026 Re-examination. The examination will proceed as scheduled on June 21. The agency urged candidates to ignore unverified information circulating online and rely only on official NTA communication channels for updates. Officials also encouraged students and parents to report suspicious activities through the national cybercrime reporting mechanisms and remain cautious of claims related to examination papers circulating on any platform.

The collaboration between the Unique Identification Authority of India and the National Forensic Sciences University marks a significant development in India's security landscape and digital forensics. In a move aimed at strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure, UIDAI and NFSU have formalized a five-year partnership to advance research, training, and operational capabilities in cybersecurity and digital forensics. 

According to an official statement, UIDAI and NFSU have established a structured collaboration designed to address emerging challenges in cybersecurity and digital forensics.

UIDAI and NFSU Join Forces on Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics

The agreement, announced on May 5 in Ahmedabad, provides a comprehensive framework to bring together expertise from both institutions. It is intended to reinforce cyber resilience across UIDAI’s systems, which form the backbone of India’s digital identity ecosystem.  The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology highlighted that this partnership creates an umbrella structure for coordinated efforts in research, technical development, and capacity building. The initiative underscores the growing importance of cybersecurity and digital forensics as critical components of national digital infrastructure. 

Six Strategic Pillars Driving UIDAI and NFSU Collaboration 

The UIDAI and NFSU partnership is structured around six key pillars, each targeting specific aspects of cybersecurity and digital forensics. These include academic and professional development, aimed at building skilled talent in the field, as well as strengthening information security and system integrity within UIDAI’s ecosystem.  Another major focus area is the development of advanced forensic infrastructure and laboratory capabilities. This will support deeper investigation and analysis of cyber incidents. Additionally, the agreement outlines provisions for technical support in cybersecurity operations, ensuring that UIDAI benefits from NFSU’s specialized expertise.  The collaboration also emphasizes joint research and technical advisory in emerging technologies. Areas such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptography, and deepfake detection are expected to play a central role. The sixth pillar focuses on strategic placement and outreach, creating pathways for NFSU students to gain hands-on experience and career opportunities within UIDAI-related projects. 

Strengthening India’s Digital Backbone

India’s digital identity framework, powered by UIDAI, requires continuous upgrades to counter evolving cyber threats. The UIDAI and NFSU partnership aims to address this need by integrating advanced cybersecurity and digital forensics practices into the system’s core operations. UIDAI Chief Executive Officer Vivek Chandra Verma described the agreement as a crucial step toward enhancing the security architecture of India’s digital public infrastructure. He stated that the collaboration will significantly improve forensic readiness and resilience, ensuring stronger protection against cyber risks. The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both institutions, including Deputy Director General Abhishek Kumar Singh and NFSU Gujarat Campus Director S. O. Junare. Their presence highlighted the institutional commitment to advancing cybersecurity and digital forensics through sustained collaboration. 

Expanding Access While Enhancing Security 

Alongside this partnership, UIDAI has also taken steps to improve accessibility to its services. Collaborations with digital platforms like MapmyIndia and Google now allow users to locate authorized Aadhaar centers more easily. These platforms provide information on available services, operating hours, and accessibility features. While these initiatives focus on user convenience, they also align with the broader objective of strengthening the integrity of India’s digital identity system. By combining improved accessibility with robust cybersecurity and digital forensics measures, UIDAI aims to maintain trust in its infrastructure.