India IT Rules amendment on synthetic content
In force India · In force Feb 20, 2026 · no upcoming deadlines
Deadlines
Summaries for reference, not legal advice. Check the official text.
What it does
Amends India's IT Rules 2021 to regulate synthetically generated information (AI-made or AI-altered audio, images and video). Intermediaries that enable such content must label it prominently, keep labels and metadata from being removed, and significant social media intermediaries must get a user declaration and verify it. Takedown clocks are cut sharply: 3 hours after a court or government order, 36 hours for certain grievances, and 2 hours for intimate or morphed images.
- Who it applies to
- Intermediaries under the IT Act 2000 operating in India, with added duties for significant social media intermediaries and for services that let users create or alter synthetic content.
- Penalties
- Intermediaries that fail due diligence lose the safe harbour under section 79 of the IT Act and can be liable for user content. Other penalties follow the IT Act and criminal law.
- Enforced by
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- Official name
- Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026
- Citation
- G.S.R. 120(E), Gazette of India Extraordinary No. 114, 10 Feb 2026
- Topics
- ai, online-safety
Research notes
Notified 10 Feb 2026 after a draft published for consultation in October 2025. A corrigendum (G.S.R. 148(E)) was published on 26 Feb 2026. MeitY issued FAQs on the same date as the notification.
Related
Questions about India IT Rules amendment on synthetic content
- What are the India IT Rules amendment on synthetic content compliance deadlines?
- Feb 20, 2026: Synthetic content rules take effect.
- When does India IT Rules amendment on synthetic content take effect?
- India IT Rules amendment on synthetic content took effect on Feb 20, 2026.
- Who does India IT Rules amendment on synthetic content apply to?
- Intermediaries under the IT Act 2000 operating in India, with added duties for significant social media intermediaries and for services that let users create or alter synthetic content.
- What are the penalties under India IT Rules amendment on synthetic content?
- Intermediaries that fail due diligence lose the safe harbour under section 79 of the IT Act and can be liable for user content. Other penalties follow the IT Act and criminal law.