Draft Telecom Rules 2026 for TV & Radio Released for Public Consultation

Ø Draft Telecommunication Rules Related to Television, Radio and Associated Services – Published for Public Consultation

Key Highlights

· The Telecommunications Act, 2023 replaced the old Telegraph Act, 1885, creating a modern legal framework for telecom services.

· The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) will administer provisions related to television, radio, and associated broadcasting services.

· The government has released the Draft Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026 for public consultation.

Existing Guidelines Being Consolidated

The draft rules integrate and replace multiple existing broadcasting guidelines, including:

· Satellite TV Channel Uplinking and Downlinking Guidelines (2022)

· Direct-to-Home (DTH) Broadcasting Guidelines (2001)

· Headend-in-the-Sky (HITS) Broadcasting Guidelines (2009)

· Private FM Radio Broadcasting Policy (Phase III) (2011, amended up to 2024)

· Community Radio Station Guidelines (2024)

· IPTV Service Guidelines (2008)

Major Objectives

· Create a single, unified regulatory framework for TV and radio broadcasting services.

· Simplify compliance and improve ease of doing business.

· Harmonize existing authorisation conditions while ensuring continuity for stakeholders.

Key Reforms Proposed

1. Change with Continuity

· Existing authorisation conditions have been streamlined and rationalized.

· Ensures continuity of services while enabling regulatory reforms.

2. Ease of Doing Business Measures

· One consolidated rulebook instead of multiple guidelines.

· Digital processing of authorisation applications.

· Simplified authorisation procedures.

· Removal of the requirement to sign a Grant of Permission Agreement (GOPA).

· Introduction of a transparent adjudication mechanism.

Public Consultation

· Draft rules have been published on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting website for public and inter-ministerial consultation.

· Stakeholders can submit comments and suggestions by 27 July 2026.

· Feedback may be sent to the Under Secretary (BP&L), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, New Delhi, preferably via email.

Significance

The draft rules aim to modernize India's broadcasting regulatory framework by consolidating multiple policies into a single set of rules, reducing compliance burdens, enhancing transparency, and promoting growth in the television and radio broadcasting sector.

[ABS News Service/12.06.2026]

The Telecommunications Act was passed by Parliament in 2023. It is a pathbreaking piece of legislation that replaced the archaic Telegraph Act of 1885.

The Telecommunications Act is a comprehensive piece of legislation that encompasses a wide range of services. Its implementation is carried out by different departments, depending on the nature of the service covered. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting administers the provisions relating to television, radio, and associated services.

The draft Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026 have been framed to consolidate the various guidelines issued for television and radio services under the erstwhile Telegraph Act, 1885 within the framework of the newly enacted Telecommunications Act, 2023.

Following guidelines are integrated into this set of rules:

a. Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Satellite Television Channels in India, dated 9^th November 2022;

b. Guidelines for obtaining a license to provide Direct-to-Home (DTH) Broadcasting Services in India, dated 15th March 2001, as amended from time to time;

c. Guidelines for providing Headend-in-the-Sky (HITS) Broadcasting Services in India, dated 26th November 2009;

d. Policy Guidelines on Expansion of FM Radio Broadcasting Services through Private Agencies (Phase III), dated 25th July 2011, as amended up to 10th September 2024;

e. Revised Policy Guidelines for setting up Community Radio Stations in India, dated 13th February 2024; and

f. Guidelines for provisioning of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Services, dated the 8th September 2008.

With this set of rules, the industry will now have a unified and significantly simplified rule book. These rules are designed to simplify and harmonize the existing regime while promoting ease of doing business in the television and radio broadcasting sector.

Once notified, the rules will replace various existing guidelines governing broadcasting services. Key features of the Draft Rules include:

1. Change with Continuity: Existing terms and conditions of authorisation have been harmonised and rationalised to facilitate continuity while enabling reforms.

2. Ease of Doing Business

a. A single regulatory framework in place of multiple guidelines

b. Digital implementation of the authorisation process

c. Simplified authorisation procedures

d. Removal of the requirement for signing Grant of Permission Agreement (GOPA)

e. Provision of transparent adjudication mechanism

These draft rules have been published on the website of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (www.mib.gov.in) for public and inter-ministerial consultation.

Inputs, comments, or suggestions, if any, may be sent to the Under Secretary (BP&L), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, 3rd Floor, Kartavya Bhawan-II, New Delhi – 110001, preferably by email at usbpl-moib[at]gov[dot]in, by the 27^th July, 2026.