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Thursday, May 21, 2026
TopicMinistry of Information and Broadcasting

Topic: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

New online gaming rules give watchdog more teeth, steer clear from guard rails on promotion

A game now only faces classification if authority targets it on its own, if the provider wants to offer it as an e-sport, or if the centre specifically flags a category. 

Govt rewrites TV ratings rules, gives itself sweeping powers to audit & inspect rating agencies

Days after the I&B ministry directed BARC to withhold TRP reporting for news channels over ‘speculative content’ in the Israel-Iran conflict coverage, the TV Ratings Policy 2026 comes into effect.

Two strikes & you’re out: New TRAI manual introduces sweeping changes to cable TV and DTH audits

Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual 2026 comes into force from 1 April. It replaces 2019 version of manual & is most significant rewrite of India's pay TV audit framework in 7 years. 

I&B Ministry notified OTT Accessibility Rules under shadow of contempt. Here’s what they say

The guidelines, which came days after a contempt petition, aim to ensure that all media content is in an accessible format for the hearing and visually impaired within three years.

Kerala govt to screen all films denied censor exemption by I&B Ministry at IFFK

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticised the ministry’s refusal to clear the films, saying that ‘denying permission to some Palestinian films reflects bureaucratic over-cautiousness’.

Madras HC directs Centre to unblock Ananda Vikatan website after removal of Modi cartoon

Court yet to decide whether cartoon comes under freedom of speech & expression, or affects friendly foreign ties. Judge directs media outlet to temporarily remove cartoon.

In political crosshairs over a Modi cartoon, Tamil media giant Vikatan has a long history of defiance

Before the current crackdown on Vikatan by BJP-led Centre, past AIADMK & DMK-led state govts have also taken it to court for defaming their leaders & parties over cartoons, articles.

I&B minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says stricter laws needed to curb ‘vulgar’ content on social media

The minister said editorial checks on online platforms were scarce, which proliferated ‘uncontrolled expression, which often includes vulgar content’.

Ministry of I&B, AYUSH collaborate for International Day of Yoga celebration

The Ministry of I&B's New Media Wing (NMW) is also planning activities like 'Yoga with Family' contests on their social media accounts.

What Modi govt’s advisory to private TV channels on airing content of ‘national importance’ says

Sports channels exempt from obligation of public service broadcasting, says I&B ministry. Broadcasters to submit monthly reports on Broadcast Seva Portal by 7th of each month.

On Camera

Norway’s Modi cartoon was not satire. Just colonial laziness

Political satire is indispensable to democracy, racial caricature isn’t. If Europe’s liberal press still cannot tell difference, then decolonisation never happened in their imagination.

Recovery of unclaimed shares, dividends now takes days, not yrs. EAC-PM credits investor watchdog revamp

PM-EAC paper says overhaul of Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority system sharply improved processing speed and reduced paperwork for investors.

Dragon’s armour: How Xi reshaped China’s military with theatre commands a decade before India’s push

While India yet to set in motion theaterisation of armed forces, China's military reforms combined China’s Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force aimed at regional dominance & tight political control.

Pakistan is tactically brilliant, strategically disastrous. It’s primed for repeated blunders

Pakistan has ended up losing every war against India but that hasn’t prevented it from claiming victory. We will go over the evidence to anticipate what to expect next.