India's New Frontier In Digital Content And AI Regulation: Navigating The Synthetically Generated Information Regulation Under The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines And Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026

India's digital and AI regulatory framework has entered a decisive new phase. On 10 February 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (“MeitY”) notified the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2026, introducing a comprehensive regulatory framework specifically addressing Synthetically Generated Information (“SGI”). These amendments, which took effect on 20 February 2026, mark India's response to the proliferation of deepfakes, AI-generated content, and other forms of synthetic media that can deceive users and cause significant harm.

For intermediaries, social media platforms, content creators, and technology companies operating in India's digital ecosystem, these amendments are not merely incremental updates. They represent a fundamental shift in regulatory expectations, imposing stringent due diligence obligations, accelerated compliance timelines, and heightened accountability measures. The regulatory