A huge advertisement piles up on Cunningham Road in Bengaluru on January 24, 2026. | Photo credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J
Based on the recently announced advertising statutes, commercial establishments that engage in self-advertisement through LED panels are now inviting companies to advertise through them. The move came before companies began granting authorizations through the One-Time Opportunity (OTO) window.
A large number of LED panels have sprung up all over the city, especially in the Central Bengaluru (CBD) district. Screens display messages such as “advertise with us” and “contact for advertising” along with contact details. Many of them already display ads and some even run video ads, despite a strict warning against such activity in the bylaws.
Well-placed sources in the two city corporations confirmed that while they have inquiries from individuals who want to regulate their own advertising as commercial advertising, these applications are yet to be reviewed and no permission has yet been granted.
Lack of permits means that these business establishments have not yet passed inspection or received permits from corporations. Such approval would require the establishment to meet all the criteria set out in the Greater Bengaluru Area (Advertising) Rules, 2025.
Prohibition of commercial advertising
On January 13, the Urban Development Department (UDD) announced new advertising bylaws, lifting the eight-year-old ban and paving the way for new city corporations to generate a source of revenue. Although advertisements were banned for eight years, self-advertisement was still allowed, strictly after obtaining permission from the zonal offices of the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
The self-advertising provision allowed individuals to display advertisements in their own establishments. For example, a clothing brand could only advertise its own products on its private property, including through LED displays. However, advertising for other companies remained prohibited. Despite the rule in place, violations were rampant across the city due to poor enforcement. Such advertising is still prevalent in some areas even as the North and Central Corporations have undertaken a special drive to disconnect electrical connections to illegal hoards. According to some corporate sources, the two corporations have removed more than 80 LED panels in the last week.
Due to widespread infringement despite the ban, the Greater Bengaluru Area (GBA) has allowed commercialization of its own advertising rights through the OTO window, which could be a source of revenue.
Rules under the new statutes
The announced advertising statutes state: “Custom advertising permits obtained for an LED display under any of the preceding advertising statutes currently in effect and at the time of their authorization shall be granted to OTO for conversion to commercial advertising accumulation.”
It further states that such regularization will be allowed only if there are no unpaid advertisement taxes or dues arrears as on the date of notification of the rules that the LED displays are to be converted into commercial hoarding. A no-fee certificate is also to be obtained from the advertisement section of the City Corporation.
“Such an application, once approved as per eligibility by the Commissioner of the concerned Municipal Corporation, will be allowed to display commercial advertisements for a period of five years from the date of approval,” the notification said.
Without following these steps, commercial devices are not allowed to advertise anything other than their own. However, some devices seem to have proactively read the rules and have already started inviting ads. Considering the rush with which commercial installations require advertisements and strong corporate interest, as confirmed by corporate sources, Bengaluru will be flooded with LED advertisements, especially in commercial areas.
Published – 24 Jan 2026 19:13 IST
