MeitY extends deadline for feedback on Draft IT Rules Amendments to April 29

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has extended the deadline for stakeholder feedback on its proposed amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, offering additional time for industry participants, digital platforms and civil society groups to weigh in on the evolving regulatory framework.

In a notice dated April 10, 2026, the ministry said it has pushed the last date for submissions to April 29, 2026, from the earlier deadline of April 14, following representations from multiple stakeholders seeking more time to respond to the draft rules.

The draft amendments, first released on March 30 for public consultation, focus on strengthening intermediary compliance with government-issued clarifications, advisories and directions, while also tightening oversight of digital media platforms. The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of platform accountability and ongoing debates around content moderation, regulatory scope and enforcement mechanisms.

According to the ministry, stakeholder submissions will be treated in a fiduciary capacity and will not be disclosed at any stage, a provision aimed at encouraging candid feedback without apprehension. Industry executives have previously flagged concerns around transparency and regulatory overreach, making confidentiality a key ask during consultations.

MeitY has invited rule-wise comments on the draft amendments, with submissions to be sent via email in MS Word or PDF format. The ministry has also made the draft notification publicly accessible on its website.

The extension signals the government’s attempt to build broader consensus on a set of rules that are expected to have far-reaching implications for social media intermediaries, digital news publishers and online content platforms. With compliance obligations and liability frameworks under review, the consultation process is likely to shape the next phase of India’s digital regulatory architecture.

The revised timeline also suggests that the government is factoring in industry feedback before finalising the amendments—an approach that could help mitigate friction with large technology companies and domestic digital publishers already grappling with evolving compliance requirements.