Govt. seeks public feedback on proposed telecommunications rules for television and radio services

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The Government has released the draft Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Allied Services) Rules 2026 for public consultation. They were created to consolidate the various guidelines issued for television and radio services under the earlier Telegraph Act under the newly enacted Telecommunications Act 2023.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting administers provisions relating to television, radio and related services.

The draft rules harmonized and rationalized existing permit conditions to facilitate continuity while allowing for reforms and provisions for a single regulatory framework instead of multiple guidelines.

Other key elements are the digital implementation of the authorization process, simplified authorization procedures, removal of the requirement to sign a permit agreement and ensuring a transparent assessment mechanism.

The draft rules contain policy guidelines for uplinking and downlinking of satellite television channels in India dated November 9, 2022; guidelines for obtaining a license to provide Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcasting services in India dated 15 March 2001, as amended from time to time; and Guidelines for the Provision of Headend-in-the-Sky Broadcasting Services (HITS) dated 26 November 2009.

Policy Guidelines for Extension of FM Radio Services through Private Agencies (Phase III), dated 25 July 2011, as amended up to 10 September 2024; revised policy for the establishment of community radio stations dated 13 February 2024; and the IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) Service Provision Directive of 8 September 2008 have also been integrated.

Uniform rule book

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

Once notified, these rules will replace various existing guidelines governing broadcasting services.

Published – 12 Jun 2026 22:40 IST