MIB released the draft Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026

¨ The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) released the draft Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026 on 12 June 2026 for public consultation.

¨     The draft proposes a single regulatory framework for television, radio, Direct-to-Home (DTH), Headend-in-the-Sky (HITS), community radio, and Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

The draft rules cover:

¨     Television channels.

¨     Television channel distribution services.

¨     Teleports.

¨     Television news agencies.

¨     Private radio services.

¨     Community radio services.

These services have been regulated through separate policy guidelines for nearly two decades.The Telecommunications Act, 2023 replaced the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.The new Act provides the statutory framework for the authorization and regulation of telecom and related services in India.The draft framework classifies authorizations into six categories.It introduces a digital authorization process.The requirement to sign a Grant of Permission Agreement (GOPA) has been removed.A transparent adjudication and compliance mechanism has also been proposed.Under the draft rules, authorized television channels must broadcast content of national importance and social relevance for at least 30 minutes daily between 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.