Centre Tightens IT Rules: Online Platforms Must Remove Illegal Content Within 36 Hours of Notice
Centre’s Big Move on Online Content Safety: Illegal Posts Must Be Removed Within 36 Hours: The central government has announced significant amendments to the Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code 2021 under the Information Technology Act, 2000. The changes, aimed at strengthening control over online content affecting the sovereignty, integrity, and security of India, will come into effect from November 15, 2025, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Under the new rules, intermediary platforms such as social media networks, websites, and online service providers must remove illegal or prohibited content within 36 hours of receiving “actual information” about it. This “actual information” will only be considered valid in two cases — either through an order from a competent court or a written notice from a senior government officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary (or Director in the case of a state government).
To ensure accountability, the government has mandated that all such notices will be reviewed monthly by a Secretary-level officer of the concerned department. Each notice must clearly specify the legal provision invoked, the type of illegal activity involved, and the exact URL or digital link to be removed or blocked. The move is part of the government’s effort to make online platforms more responsible for the content they host, while maintaining transparency and adherence to legal due process.
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