India is planning to decentralise a key online content takedown framework and empower multiple ministries and regulators to start sending blocking orders to social media companies, raising concerns over an expanding censorship regime. This is only one of the ways in which the government is doubling down on blocking content on social media. A new decentralised censorship mechanismCurrently, there are two content blocking mechanisms in India. These blocks, which can be directed by a host of Central and state level agencies, marks the other content blocking regime currently active in the country. These orders cover a wide range of online links, including allegedly offensive or unlawful posts online, or entire accounts.

Source: Indian Express March 18, 2026 11:39 UTC