Parliament Question: Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*53 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2026) TELECOMMUNICATIONS (TELEVISION, RADIO AND ASSOCIATED SERVICES) RULES, 2026.

*53: SHRI MUKESHKUMAR CHANDRAKAANT DALAL:

SHRI DINESHBHAI MAKWANA:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has released the draft Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026 to consolidate multiple existing broadcasting guidelines into a single regulatory framework under the Telecommunications Act, 2023;

(b) if so, the details of key features proposed in these draft rules;

(c) whether any timelines have been set for finalisation and implementation of the Rules;

(d) if so, the details of measures proposed to support industry transition to the new regulatory framework;

(e) the specific provisions made under this new framework to boost the emerging digital media, local broadcasters and community radio in Madhya Pradesh; and

(f) whether the Government is likely to accord special priority in this policy to address the issues of poor digital connectivity and the lack of local broadcasting networks in the rural and remote areas of Chhindwara district as well as to establish new information centres and community radio stations there? ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT AS REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (f) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.53* FOR REPLY ON 22.07.2026

(a) to (f): The Government has released the draft Telecommunications (Television, Radio and Associated Services) Rules, 2026 to consolidate the various Guidelines issued for Television and Radio services, within the framework of the newly enacted Telecommunications Act, 2023. The

following Guidelines have been integrated into this set of rules: a) Policy Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Satellite Television Channels in India; b) Guidelines for obtaining a license to provide Direct-to-Home (DTH) Broadcasting Services in India;

c) Guidelines for providing Headend-in-the-Sky (HITS) Broadcasting Services in India; d) Policy Guidelines on Expansion of FM Radio Broadcasting Services through Private Agencies (Phase III); e) Revised Policy Guidelines for setting up Community Radio Stations in India; and f) Guidelines for provisioning of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Services.

With this set of rules, the industry will now have a unified and significantly simplified rule book.

These rules are designed to harmonize the existing regime while promoting ease of doing business in the Television and Radio broadcasting sector. The draft rules have been published on the website of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (www.mib.gov.in), inviting inputs, comments or suggestions by the 27th July, 2026.

To support industry transition to new regulatory framework, the draft rules provide for voluntary migration of existing licenses/permission to the new authorisation framework or continuation of existing licences/permission until migration.

The draft rules contain provisions to improve availability of Television and Radio services, including community radio services, across the country, including remote and rural areas of Chhindwara district, Madhya Pradesh.

*****