The government has published the draft Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026, for public consultation. They have been framed to consolidate the various guidelines issued for television and radio services under the erstwhile Telegraph Act, within the framework of the newly enacted Telecommunications Act, 2023

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry administers the provisions relating to television, radio, and associated services.

In the draft rules, existing terms and conditions of authorisation have been harmonised and rationalised to facilitate continuity, while enabling reforms and provision for a single regulatory framework in place of multiple guidelines.

Digital implementation of the authorisation process, simplified authorisation procedures, removal of the requirement for signing Grant of Permission Agreement, and provision of transparent adjudication mechanism are the other key features.

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

Policy guidelines on expansion of FM radio services through private agencies (Phase III), dated July 25, 2011, as amended up to September 10, 2024; revised policy guidelines for setting up community radio stations, dated February 13, 2024; and guidelines for provisioning of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services, dated September 8, 2008, have also been integrated.

Unified rule-book

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

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