Rules 8-19 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Part III of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, rules 8 to 19, applies to publishers of news and current affairs content and publishers of online curated content. It sets a Code of Ethics (the Appendix), a three-tier structure for grievances, a way of issuing directions, and duties to furnish and disclose information; the Schedule guides the classification of online curated content. This article gives an overview of the Rules as originally notified on 25 February 2021. Later amendments are not covered here; check the current text of the Rules before acting. Part III refers to section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000; see our article on section 69A.
Part III applies to publishers of news and current affairs content and publishers of online curated content, administered by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; it applies to intermediaries only for rules 15 and 16. The structure has three levels: Level I, self-regulation by the publisher; Level II, self-regulation by a self-regulating body; Level III, an oversight mechanism by the Central Government. The periods printed include twenty-four hours, fifteen days, thirty days, forty-eight hours, two months, every month and sixty days. Ratings are U, U/A 7+, U/A 13+, U/A 16+ and A.
Rule 8: who Part III applies to
Rule 8(1) says Part III applies to publishers of news and current affairs content and publishers of online curated content, administered by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, "referred to in this Part as the Ministry". A proviso says that the rules in this Part apply to intermediaries for the purposes of rules 15 and 16. Rule 8(2) says the Part applies to publishers where (a) the publisher operates in the territory of India, or (b) conducts systematic business activity of making its content available in India. The Explanation says a publisher is deemed to operate in India where it has a physical presence in India, and "systematic activity" means any structured or organised activity that involves an element of planning, method, continuity or persistence. Rule 8(3) says the Part is in addition to and not in derogation of other law and remedies, including the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by the Public) Rules, 2009, as printed.
The definitions of "publisher", "news and current affairs content" and "online curated content" are in rule 2(1); our article on rules 1, 2 and 7 explains them.
Rule 9: the Code and the three tiers
Rule 9(1) requires a publisher to observe and adhere to the Code of Ethics in the Appendix. Rule 9(2) says a publisher that contravenes any law for the time being in force shall also be liable for consequential action under that law. Rule 9(3) sets the three-tier structure:
| Level | Mechanism |
|---|---|
| Level I | Self-regulation by the publishers |
| Level II | Self-regulation by the self-regulating bodies of the publishers |
| Level III | Oversight mechanism by the Central Government |
If you publish news or run an online streaming service, a legal consultation on which of the tiers you must engage with, and what your published grievance process should look like, is a sensible first step.
Rules 10 to 12: grievances, Level I and Level II
| Rule | Subject | Periods and numbers printed |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Furnishing and processing of grievance | Acknowledgement within twenty-four hours; decision within fifteen days of registration; escalation to the self-regulating body if the decision is not communicated within fifteen days; appeal to the self-regulating body within fifteen days of the decision; decision of the self-regulating body within fifteen days; appeal to the Oversight Mechanism within fifteen days of that decision |
| 11 | Level I: the publisher | Establish a grievance redressal mechanism and appoint a Grievance Officer based in India; display contact details; ensure a decision on every grievance within fifteen days; be a member of a self-regulating body; classify online curated content under the Schedule and display the rating |
| 12 | Level II: self-regulating body | One or more bodies headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court, or an independent eminent person, with other members not exceeding six; register with the Ministry within thirty days; functions and guidance or advisories; referral to the Oversight Mechanism within fifteen days of expiry of the specified date |
The guidance or advisories a self-regulating body may issue under rule 12(5) include warning, censuring, admonishing or reprimanding; requiring an apology; requiring a warning card or a disclaimer; for online curated content, reclassifying ratings, modifying the content descriptor, age classification and access control measures, or editing a synopsis; and, in a case of need to delete or modify content to prevent incitement to a cognizable offence relating to public order or for the reasons in section 69A(1), referral to the Ministry for the Oversight Mechanism. The copy of rule 10(3)(d) ends with two full stops, a printing slip we flag and do not correct.
Rules 13 to 17: Level III, directions, emergency and review
| Rule | Subject | What it says, in outline |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Oversight mechanism | The Ministry publishes a charter for self-regulating bodies, establishes an Inter-Departmental Committee, refers grievances to it, issues guidance, advisories, orders and directions; appoints an Authorised Officer not below the rank of Joint Secretary |
| 14 | Inter-Departmental Committee | Representatives of listed Ministries, with the Authorised Officer as Chairperson; hears complaints in writing; recommendations such as warning, apology, warning card, reclassification, deletion or modification of content, or action under section 69A(1); the Ministry may issue orders and directions, with the approval of the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting |
| 15 | Procedure for issuing of direction | For recommendations on deletion or modification and section 69A(1) action, the matter goes to the Secretary; on approval, the Authorised Officer directs the publisher, any agency of the Government or any intermediary to delete, modify or block specific content within the time limit specified; not to require any entity to cease its operations |
| 16 | Blocking in case of emergency | The Secretary may, after recording reasons in writing, issue interim directions without an opportunity of hearing; the Authorised Officer brings the request before the Committee at the earliest but not later than forty-eight hours; if not approved in the final order, the interim direction is revoked |
| 17 | Review of directions | The Authorised Officer maintains records; the Review Committee meets at least once in every two months and may set aside directions not in accordance with section 69A(1) |
Rule 14(5)(d) orders its sub-items differently from rule 12(5)(d); we flag this and do not correct it. Rule 17's Explanation refers to the Review Committee constituted under "rule 419A of the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951", quoted as printed; check the current law for the corresponding provision.
Rules 18 and 19: furnishing and disclosure
Rule 18 requires a publisher of news and current affairs content and a publisher of online curated content operating in India to inform the Ministry about the details of its entity, with documents as may be specified, within thirty days of the publication of the Rules (or of the start of its operations), and to publish a periodic compliance report every month on grievances received and action taken; the Ministry may call for additional information. Rule 19 requires a publisher and a self-regulating body to make true and full disclosure of all grievances received and their disposal, displayed publicly and updated monthly, and requires the publisher, subject to law, to preserve records of content transmitted for a minimum period of sixty days and make them available to the self-regulating body or the Central Government or other Government agency as requisitioned.
The Appendix: Code of Ethics
| Part | Content, as printed |
|---|---|
| I, News and current affairs | (i) Norms of Journalistic Conduct of the Press Council of India under the Press Council Act, 1978; (ii) Programme Code under section 5 of the Cable Television Networks Regulation) Act, 1995 (the copy prints a stray bracket); (iii) content prohibited under any law shall not be published or transmitted |
| II, Online curated content | (A) General Principles; (B) Content Classification; (C) Display of Classification; (D) Restriction of access by a child; (E) Measures for accessibility by persons with disabilities |
The Press Council Act, 1978 and the Cable Television Networks Act, 1995 are quoted as printed; check the current law for the corresponding provisions. The ratings in Part II(B) are: "U" for content suitable for children and people of all ages; "U/A 7+"; "U/A 13+"; "U/A 16+"; and "A" for content restricted to adults. Content classified U/A 13+ or higher must have access control mechanisms, including parental locks, and content rated "A" needs a reliable age verification mechanism.
The Schedule: classification of online curated content
The Schedule says classification "shall be guided by" guidelines in two parts. Part I has four general factors: context, theme, tone and impact, and target audience. Part II, issue-related guidelines, is listed in alphabetical order: discrimination; psychotropic substances, liquor, smoking and tobacco; imitable behaviour; language; nudity; sex; and violence. This article gives the headings only. The Schedule is a guide to classification; it does not alter the ratings in the Appendix.
A worked example
Doordarshi Online Private Limited, an invented streaming service, makes a film available on demand. As a publisher of online curated content, it classifies the film into one of the five ratings, displays the rating and content descriptor before viewing, and makes access control mechanisms available where required. A viewer's grievance reaches the Grievance Officer, who acknowledges within twenty-four hours and decides within fifteen days. If the viewer is not satisfied, an appeal to the self-regulating body of which the publisher is a member can be made within fifteen days, and then to the Oversight Mechanism.
Need help with the digital media rules?
If you publish news or online curated content and need to set up a grievance structure, ratings and monthly reports, our team can help. Begin with a legal consultation.
Key takeaways
- Part III (rules 8 to 19) applies to publishers of news and current affairs content and publishers of online curated content, with intermediaries covered for rules 15 and 16.
- Three tiers: Level I (publisher), Level II (self-regulating body) and Level III (oversight mechanism by the Central Government).
- Periods as printed include twenty-four hours, fifteen days, thirty days, forty-eight hours, two months, every month and sixty days.
- Ratings: U, U/A 7+, U/A 13+, U/A 16+ and A.
- This article explains the Rules as originally notified; check the current text.
Read next
- Rules 1, 2 and 7: definitions, scope and non-observance
- Rule 3 of the Intermediary Guidelines Rules, 2021: due diligence and grievance redressal
- Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000: blocking of public access to information
- Rules 4 to 6: significant social media intermediary duties
Disclaimer: Based on a consolidated copy of the Information Technology Act, 2000 as amended by the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008, on the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 as originally notified on 25 February 2021 and on the CERT-In Directions of 28 April 2022, read with the amendments made to the Act by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 and by section 44 of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, as consulted on 2 October 2026. Commencement notifications, other amendments, rules, directions and the current position of each provision are not covered and should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.