The Government of India’s proposed Draft IT Rules Second Amendment, 2026, has triggered fresh debate over online free speech and digital regulation. Since the IT Rules were first introduced in 2021, experts have warned that expanding executive powers over online content could amount to Constitutional overreach.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, or MeitY, says the new amendments are mainly procedural and meant to improve intermediary compliance, legal clarity, and oversight of digital platforms. However, critics argue that the changes may increase government control over online speech and create pressure on platforms to regulate lawful content more aggressively. Legal experts say the proposals could significantly impact the balance between citizen rights, platform accountability, and state regulation in India’s digital space.
