The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Friday, June 12, 2026, issued draft Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026, aimed at consolidating the different guidelines issued for television and radio services under the erstwhile Telegraph Act, 1885. The draft rules are within the framework of the newly enacted Telecommunications Act, 2023.
The Ministry said the new set of rules present a simplified, single rule book for the industry which is designed to enable rase of doing business in the TV and radio broadcasting sector.
The rules seek to simplify and harmonise the existing regime, said the ministry, adding inputs, comments or suggestions on the same could be shared with it by July 27.
“These draft rules have been published on the website of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for public and inter-ministerial consultation,” the release stated.
According to the ministry, the rules propose a single regulatory framework for the industry instead of the existing multiple guidelines.
These also enable simplified authorisation process and make provision for a transparent adjudication mechanism.
According to the ministry’s release, the following guidelines have been integrated into the proposed set of rules:
1. Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Satellite Television Channels in India, dated 9th November 2022;
2. Guidelines for obtaining a license to provide Direct-to-Home (DTH) Broadcasting Services in India, dated 15th March 2001, as amended from time to time;
3. Guidelines for providing Headend-in-the-Sky (HITS) Broadcasting Services in India, dated 26th November 2009;
4. Policy Guidelines on Expansion of FM Radio Broadcasting Services through Private Agencies (Phase III), dated 25th July 2011, as amended up to 10th September 2024;
5. Revised Policy Guidelines for setting up Community Radio Stations in India, dated 13th February 2024; and
6. Guidelines for provisioning of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Services, dated the 8th September 2008.