Sectoral regulators authorised to issue directions for blocking access under IT Rules, 2025 (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code)
Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2025 give sectoral regulators authority to issue blocking directions for public access to information.
- The rules are the legal instrument cited for authorising sectoral regulators to issue blocking directions for public access to information.
- The Act is the parent statute for India’s online-content regulation framework.
What happened
The Government of India has stated that sectoral regulators can issue directions for blocking information for public access under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2025. The announcement is relevant for digital governance because it broadens the set of authorities that can trigger blocking-related action in India’s online information environment.
Background and earlier position
UPSC may ask how blocking powers are distributed under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the subordinate rules, what safeguards are needed for transparency and due process, and how sector-specific regulators fit into India’s digital-governance framework.
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