In a move aimed at strengthening accountability in digital regulation, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on Wednesday notified amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, tightening the framework for removal of unlawful online content by intermediaries.

The amendments, issued as part of the IT Rules (Amendment), 2025, will come into effect from November 1, 2025, and introduce new safeguards under Rule 3(1)(d) to ensure that takedown actions are transparent, proportionate, and legally sound.

Only Joint Secretary/DIG rank officials can now issue takedown directions

Importantly, only senior officials—Joint Secretary level in Ministries and DIG rank in police—will now be authorised to issue takedo

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