Published: 9 February 2026MeitYGovernance
MeitY Notifies IT Amendment Rules 2026: 3-Hour Takedown for Illegal Content, 2 Hours for Deepfakes
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology published the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026 on February 10. The rules take effect from February 20, 2026.
Social media platforms must now remove content deemed illegal within 3 hours (reduced from 24-36 hours). Non-consensual nudity and deepfakes must be taken down within 2 hours. Synthetic content is defined as audio-visual information created or altered algorithmically that appears indistinguishable from real events. Platforms must obtain user declarations on whether content is synthetically generated and deploy technical measures to verify such declarations, with clear labelling requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the new takedown timelines under IT Amendment Rules 2026?
Under the **IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules 2026** (effective February 20, 2026), social media platforms must remove **illegal content within 3 hours** (reduced from 24-36 hours), and **non-consensual nudity and deepfakes within 2 hours**.
How are 'deepfakes' defined under India's IT Amendment Rules 2026?
The IT Amendment Rules 2026 define **synthetic content** (covering deepfakes) as **audio-visual information created or altered algorithmically that appears indistinguishable from real events**. Platforms must take down such content within **2 hours** of receiving a complaint.
When did the MeitY IT Amendment Rules 2026 take effect?
The **Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)** published the IT Amendment Rules 2026 on **February 10, 2026**, and they took effect from **February 20, 2026**.
What obligations do social media platforms have under IT Amendment Rules 2026?
Platforms must: remove illegal content within **3 hours**; take down deepfakes/non-consensual nudity within **2 hours**; obtain **user declarations** on whether content is AI-generated; and maintain faster grievance redressal mechanisms under the updated Safe Harbour provisions.
What is the significance of IT Amendment Rules 2026 for digital governance in India?
The IT Amendment Rules 2026 represent India's most stringent regulation of social media content yet — tightening takedown timelines, **regulating AI-generated content**, and addressing the growing deepfake threat. They complement the **Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023** in building India's digital governance framework.
