Govt unveils draft rules to simplify broadcasting regulations, boost ease of business

New Delhi, June 12 (IANS) The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting published draft Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026, to consolidate erstwhile television and radio guidelines under the new Telecommunications Act, 2023, and opened them for public consultation, an official statement said on Friday.

“With this set of rules, the industry will now have a unified and significantly simplified rule book. These rules are designed to simplify and harmonise the existing regime while promoting ease of doing business in the television and radio broadcasting sector,” the ministry said.

The draft rules combine a range of earlier policies into a single regulatory framework, including the policy guidelines for uplinking and downlinking of satellite television channels in India, guidelines for obtaining a licence to provide direct‑to‑home broadcasting services in India, and guidelines for providing headend‑in‑the‑sky broadcasting services in India.

Further policy guidelines on the expansion of FM radio broadcasting services through private agencies, phase III, and revised policy guidelines for setting up community radio stations in India are also integrated into the new framework.

Once notified, the rules will replace various existing guidelines governing broadcasting services, the statement noted.

Key features of the draft rules include harmonised terms and conditions of authorisation to facilitate continuity while enabling reforms; a single regulatory framework replacing multiple guidelines, facilitating ease of doing business.

Digital implementation of the authorisation process and simplified authorisation procedures, removal of the requirement for signing the Grant of Permission Agreement (GOPA), and a provision of a transparent adjudication mechanism are some other features.

These draft rules have been published on the website of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for public and inter-ministerial consultation, the statement noted, adding that inputs, comments, or suggestions, if any, may be sent to the Under Secretary (BP&L) of the ministry by July 27, 2026.

—IANS

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