Amendments to IT Rules 2021 Regarding Synthetically Generated Information · G.S.R. 120(E)

[Image omitted. See the official document.]

[Image omitted. See the official document.]

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

on

The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026

[through amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021]

(10^th^ February, 2026)

Government of India

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)

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Table of Contents

Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026

Introduction ........................................................................................... 1

Section I: Overview and Objectives..................................................... 2

Section II: Key Definitions and Scope................................................. 4

Section III: Due Diligence and User Obligations (Rule 3 Amendments)......................................................................................... 7

Section IV: Grievance Redressal Timelines (Rule 3(2) Amendments) ............................................................................................................... 10

Section V: New Due Diligence for SGI (New Rule 3(3))................... 11

Section VI: Additional Due Diligence for Significant Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs) (Rule 4 Amendments) ................................ 14

Section VII: Practical Illustrations (Reference) ............................... 15

Section VIII: Summary Table of Key Timelines (as amended)....... 17

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026

Introduction

The Government of India is committed to ensuring an Open, Safe, Trusted, and Accountable Internet for its citizens availing Internet-enabled services. In order to ensure an Open, Safe & Trusted Internet and accountability of intermediaries including the social media intermediaries to users, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in exercise of the powers given under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”), notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (hereinafter referred to as “IT Rules, 2021”) on 25^th^ February, 2021 and subsequently amended time-to-time on various dates viz. 28^th^ October, 2022, 6^th^ April, 2023 and 22^nd^ October, 2025 respectively to address the emerging risks and issues in the cyberspace.

With the advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies, online platforms are now capable of generating synthetic content that is highly realistic in nature. Synthetically generated information (“SGI”), when developed and used responsibly, offers significant benefits to users in India by enabling innovation, accessibility, and economic growth across sectors. Such technologies support the creation of multilingual and local-language content, improve access to education and skill development through personalised learning tools, and enhance public service delivery through simulations, virtual assistants, and data-driven decision-making. Synthetic information can also promote inclusion by enabling assistive technologies for persons with disabilities, supporting creative expression, and empowering small businesses, startups, and creators with affordable digital tools. If harnessed with robust safeguards, synthetically generated information can strengthen India’s digital economy, foster trust in the online ecosystem, and advance the goal of inclusive, safe, and responsible digital transformation.

However, every new technology advancement comes with its own unique challenges and recognising the challenges posed by growing misuse of SGI, including deepfakes, misinformation, and other unlawful content capable of misleading users causing user harms, violating privacy, or threatening national integrity, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has made amendments to the IT Rules, 2021 in relation to the SGI and other associated concerns by notifying the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026, vide Gazette notification number G.S.R. 120(E), dated 10^th^ February, 2026, which shall come into force on 20 ^th^ February, 2026.

The following FAQs have been prepared to bring clarity as well as to explain the nuances of the due diligence to be followed by intermediaries in relation to the SGI and other associated concerns. The FAQs are limited to the IT Rules, 2021 to be administered by MeitY.

Note: This document is in response to general queries received by MeitY. It is not a legal document and in no way whatsoever replaces, amends or alters any part of the IT Act/ IT Rules, 2021 (as amended). For legal compliance, the notified Rules may be referred to.

The FAQ is an evolving document and hence the versions of this document may undergo changes. It is requested that the concerned stakeholders verify the version of this document from MeitY.

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Section I: Overview and Objectives

1. What are the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026?

Ans: The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 amend the IT Rules, 2021 to further strengthen the due diligence framework for intermediaries, particularly in relation to synthetically generated information (SGI) and associated online harms. The amendments, inter alia, cover the following broad areas:

• insertion of definitions relating to “audio, visual or audio-visual information” and “synthetically generated information (SGI)”, along with specific exclusions of certain categories information from the definition of SGI;
• clarification that, for purposes of these Rules, references to “information” in the context of unlawful acts shall include SGI;
• clarification that removal/disablement of information including SGI in compliance with the Rules (including through reasonable technical measures / automated tools) shall not amount to violation of section 79(2)(a) or 79(2)(b) conditions (safe harbour);
• strengthening of user awareness obligations, including periodic user information at least once every three months, and additional warnings for intermediaries facilitating SGI creation;
• strengthening of timelines for compliance, including reduced timelines for takedown upon actual knowledge and for grievance redressal (including special categories such as nudity/impersonation etc.);
• introduction of a dedicated SGI due diligence framework under Rule 3(3), including:
  • measures to prevent unlawful/prohibited SGI; and
  • labelling/metadata/identifier obligations for permissible SGI;
• additional due diligence obligations for Significant Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs), including user declaration and technical verification before publishing SGI, and prominent labelling of SGI.

The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026, vide Gazette notification number G.S.R. 120(E), dated 10^th^ February, 2026 may be accessed at the following link:

https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2026/269993.pdf

https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2026/02/f55fe52418b03f58b0669f6a8bc03b6d.pdf

The consolidated IT Rules, 2021 (as updated), as they would stand after incorporating the afore-said new amendments may be accessed at the following link:

https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2026/02/550681ab908f8afb135b0ad42816a1c9.pdf

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2. Why were these amendments introduced?

Ans: The amendments were introduced in view of rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies, which have made it significantly easier to create, generate, modify or alter highly realistic synthetic audio, visual and audio-visual content, including deepfakes, that can appear real, authentic or true and may mislead or deceive users. While synthetically generated information (SGI) can deliver significant benefits such as innovation, accessibility and inclusive digital growth, its increasing misuse has emerged as a serious and evolving challenge.

Such misuse can lead to serious harms, including, inter alia:

• spread of misinformation/disinformation and erosion of public trust;
• impersonation, identity fraud and deception;
• non-consensual intimate imagery, obscenity and child sexual exploitative and abuse material;
• reputational harm, coercion, extortion and severe psychological impact on victims;

Accordingly, to ensure an Open, Safe, Trusted and Accountable Internet, and to address the unique risks posed by SGI in a clear and enforceable manner, the amendments seek to strengthen the IT Rules, 2021 by:

• introducing clear definitions of SGI and related audio/visual information along with specific exclusions;
• clarifying that references to “information” used for unlawful acts shall include SGI;
• strengthening user awareness and accountability obligations (including periodic user advisories and additional warnings for SGI-enabling intermediaries);
• prescribing a dedicated due diligence framework under Rule 3(3) requiring intermediaries to deploy reasonable and appropriate technical measures to prevent unlawful SGI, and to ensure labelling/provenance/identifier requirements for permissible SGI;
• introducing enhanced obligations for Significant Social Media Intermediaries (SSMIs), including user declaration and technical verification prior to publication/display of SGI and ensuring prominent labelling;
• tightening by reducing the removal/disabling access/grievance timelines to enable faster response and victim protection; and
• clarifying that removal/disablement of information (including SGI) in compliance with these Rules (including through automated tools) shall not by itself impact intermediaries’ eligibility for exemption under section 79(2) of the IT Act.