MeitY notifies Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 introducing compliance framework for synthetically generated information and revising due diligence timelines

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (“MeitY”) has now notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 (“Amendment Rules”), which amend the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (“Principal Rules”). The Amendment Rules bring into force the prior proposals relating to regulation of synthetically generated information, revision of intermediary due diligence obligations and significant tightening of compliance timelines. This amendment is effective from 20^th February, 2026.

Key Highlights:

1. The definition framework under the Principal Rules has been expanded to expressly introduce the concepts of “audio, visual or audio-visual information” and “synthetically generated information.” The latter covers artificially or algorithmically created or altered content that appears real or indistinguishable from a natural person or real-world event, while excluding routine good-faith editing, formatting, enhancement or accessibility modifications.
2. References to “information” in the context of unlawful acts and due diligence obligations are now expressly clarified to include synthetically generated information. Removal or disabling of such information in compliance with the Rules is protected and does not affect safe harbour protection under section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
3. Intermediaries are now required to inform users at least once every three months (instead of annually) regarding consequences of non-compliance with platform policies and applicable laws. Additional disclosures are mandated where the intermediary enables creation or dissemination of synthetically generated information, including potential penal consequences and account-level enforcement actions.
4. The takedown and grievance redressal timelines under the Principal Rules have been substantially compressed. The timeline for removal of unlawful information upon court or Government order has been reduced from thirty-six hours to three hours, and certain grievance-related timelines have also been shortened, thereby increasing the operational compliance burden on intermediaries.
5. A specific due diligence framework has been introduced for intermediaries that enable creation or dissemination of synthetically generated information. Such intermediaries are required to deploy reasonable and appropriate technical measures (including automated tools) to prevent generation or circulation of synthetic content that violates applicable laws, contains sexually exploitative or deceptive material, creates false documents, or misrepresents individuals or events in a misleading manner.
6. Permitted synthetically generated information must now be clearly and prominently labelled. Intermediaries are also required, to the extent technically feasible, to embed permanent metadata or other provenance mechanisms, including unique identifiers, to enable traceability of the computer resource used to create or alter such content. Suppression or removal of such labels or metadata is prohibited.
7. Significant Social Media Intermediaries are required, prior to publication or display of content, to obtain user declarations regarding whether the content is synthetically generated, deploy technical verification measures and ensure prominent labelling where synthetic content is identified. Failure to exercise due diligence in this regard may affect compliance status under the Rules.
8. References to the Indian Penal Code under the Principal Rules have been updated to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, aligning the intermediary compliance framework with the new criminal law regime.

The notification is attached herewith for your ease of reference.

Source: E Gazette