Information Technology(IT) Amendment Rules, 2025

• 10 Nov 2025

Source: PIB 

Why in News?

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2025, updating the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, particularly Rule 3(1)(d). 

• These 2025 rules effective from 15th November 2025, aim to tighten procedural safeguards around the removal of unlawful online content.  
• Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules, 2021 requires internet intermediaries to remove or disable access to unlawful content upon receiving a government order or notification. 
  • This process operates alongside Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000, which removes safe-harbour protection if intermediaries fail to take action after receiving “actual knowledge,” and Section 69A which empowers the Central Government to block public access to online information if necessary for national security, sovereignty, or public order.

What are the Key Features of IT Amendment Rules, 2025? 

• Key Features of the Amendment Rules 2025: It introduces new safeguards under Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules, 2021 to ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in the process and more precise, actionable notices for content takedowns. 
  • Senior-Level Authorisation: Only senior officials can issue takedown directions (an officer of at least Joint Secretary rank (or equivalent/Director if JS is not appointed)), and for police, only a specially authorised Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG)-level officer. 
  • Reasoned and Specific Intimation:  Takedown orders must clearly mention the legal basis, the nature of the violation, and the exact link/identifier of the content.  
    • This replaces vague notices and aligns with Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act. 
  • Monthly Review: All takedown directions will be reviewed every month by a Secretary-level officer to ensure they remain necessary, proportionate, and lawful. 

Significance 

• The amendment strikes a balance between the constitutional rights of citizens and the legitimate regulatory powers of the State, ensuring that enforcement actions are transparent and do not lead to arbitrary restrictions. 
• They also provide clearer guidance to intermediaries through detailed and reasoned orders, helping them comply with the law.  
• The reforms promote proportional action and uphold natural justice while reinforcing lawful restrictions under the IT Act, 2000.

Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 

• About: The IT Rules, 2021 were notified by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) in 2021 and later amended in 2022 and 2023.  
  • These rules emerged from continuous engagement with the public and stakeholders to strengthen digital governance. 
• Obligations on Intermediaries: The Rules place obligations on intermediaries to ensure they do not host, share, upload, or transmit prohibited content.  
  • This includes misinformation, patently false information, impersonation, and deepfakes. 
• User Complaint Mechanism: Users can report unlawful content by submitting a complaint to the platform’s Grievance Officer.  
  • Once a complaint is received, the intermediary must act promptly within the timelines prescribed under the IT Rules, 2021. 
  • The Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) deals with the appeals of users (Digital Nagriks) aggrieved by decisions of Grievance Officers. 
• Advisories: MeitY also issues advisories under the IT Rules, 2021 to ensure platforms comply when using AI models, LLMs, generative AI tools, or related software. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. Who can issue takedown directions under the IT Rules, 2021? 
An officer not below Joint Secretary rank (or equivalent/Director if JS is not appointed) and for police, only a specially authorised Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG)-level officer.

2. What does Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act provide? 
It removes safe-harbour protection if an intermediary fails to act after receiving “actual knowledge” of unlawful content.

3. What is the role of the Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC)? 
It hears appeals from users dissatisfied with decisions of intermediaries’ Grievance Officers under IT Rules, 2021. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question 

Q. In India, it is legally mandatory for which of the following to report on cyber security incidents?(2017)

1. Service providers 
2. Data centres 
3. Body corporate 

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1 only 

(b) 1 and 2 only 

(c) 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3 

Ans: D