Centre Proposes Unified Broadcasting Rules to Cut Red Tape, Ease Business Operations

New Delhi — The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has released the draft Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026, seeking to streamline and modernise regulations governing India's broadcasting sector under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

The proposed rules have been placed in the public domain for consultation and aim to bring multiple television and radio broadcasting guidelines under a single, simplified regulatory framework.

According to the ministry, the move is intended to reduce regulatory complexity and improve the ease of doing business for broadcasters by replacing a patchwork of existing policies with a unified rulebook.

The draft framework consolidates several key guidelines, including those governing uplinking and downlinking of satellite television channels, Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcasting services, and Headend-in-the-Sky (HITS) broadcasting operations.

It also incorporates policies related to private FM radio broadcasting under Phase-III expansion and the revised guidelines for establishing community radio stations across the country.

Once notified, the new rules will supersede the various existing broadcasting guidelines currently in force.

Among the major reforms proposed are harmonised authorisation conditions to ensure regulatory continuity while enabling future reforms, a fully integrated regulatory framework for television and radio services, and digitisation of the authorisation process.

The draft also seeks to simplify approval procedures by removing the requirement for signing the Grant of Permission Agreement (GOPA), a step expected to reduce administrative burden on broadcasters. Additionally, it introduces a transparent adjudication mechanism to address disputes and regulatory issues.

The ministry said the proposed framework is designed to create a more efficient, transparent, and industry-friendly regulatory environment while aligning broadcasting regulations with the broader objectives of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

Stakeholders, industry representatives, and members of the public have been invited to submit comments and suggestions on the draft rules. Feedback can be sent to the Under Secretary (BP&L), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, until July 27, 2026.

The ministry has made the draft rules available on its official website for consultation.
 

With inputs from IANS