**Executive Summary**
This report details the efforts of the Fact Check Unit (FCU) under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to combat misinformation related to the Central Government. As of April 1, 2026, the FCU has published 2,913 fact-checks and facilitated the blocking of over 1,400 URLs during "Operation Sindoor." The document outlines the regulatory framework under the IT Rules, 2021, for digital media publishers to ensure adherence to a Code of Ethics.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Role and Operations of the Fact Check Unit (FCU)**
* Identifies fake news and misinformation specifically relating to the Central Government.
* Verifies authenticity via authorized sources before publishing correct information on social media.
* Actively identifies deepfakes, AI-generated videos, misleading notifications, and fraudulent websites.
* Distributes fact-checks across multiple platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, Threads, and WhatsApp.
**Operation Sindoor**
* Focused on identifying misinformation and hostile narratives circulating online.
* Provided authentic information to prevent the spread of anti-India narratives.
* Resulted in Ministry directions to block over 1,400 URLs on digital media.
**Regulatory Framework and Redressal**
* Publishers of news, current affairs, and online curated content are governed by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
* The IT Rules, 2021, establish a mandatory Code of Ethics for digital publishers.
* A three-level institutional mechanism is in place for the redressal of grievances regarding violations of the Code of Ethics.
**Impact Analysis**
**Citizens**
**Impact**
Citizens benefit from access to verified, authentic information and are protected from the spread of misleading narratives and deepfakes.
**Action Required**
Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious content to the FCU for verification to strengthen public participation in combating misinformation.
**Publishers of News and Online Curated Content**
**Impact**
These entities are subject to the IT Rules, 2021, and must operate within the framework of the prescribed Code of Ethics.
**Action Required**
Publishers must adhere to the Code of Ethics and participate in the three-level institutional mechanism for grievance redressal in the event of a violation.
**Digital Media Platforms**
**Impact**
Platforms are used as primary channels for disseminating verified information and are subject to government directions regarding the blocking of misinformation.
**Action Required**
Compliance with Ministry directions to block specific URLs (over 1,400 identified during Operation Sindoor) that spread hostile or false narratives.
Key Entities Referenced
PIB Fact Check Unit (FCU): A unit under the Press Information Bureau that identifies and counters misinformation and fake news related to the Central Government.
Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021: The legal framework providing a Code of Ethics and a three-level grievance redressal mechanism for digital media publishers.
Operation Sindoor: An initiative during which the PIB Fact Check Unit countered hostile narratives and the Ministry directed the blocking of over 1,400 digital media URLs.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting: The primary government body responsible for overseeing the Fact Check Unit and regulating digital media publishers.
Press Information Bureau (PIB): The nodal agency of the Government of India that houses the Fact Check Unit and publishes authentic news information.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government Counters Misinformation; PIB Fact-
Check Unit Issues Over 2,900 Fact Checks
Posted On: 01 APR 2026 3:39PM by PIB Delhi
A Fact Check Unit (FCU) functions under Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting. FCU identifies fake news, misinformation relating to the Central Government. After
verifying the authenticity of news from authorized sources, FCU publishes correct information on its
social media platforms. Additionally, it encourages citizens to report suspicious content for verification,
thereby strengthening public participation in combating misinformation.
FCU has identified various fake claims related to the Government of India including deepfakes, AI-
generated and misleading videos, notifications, letters and websites. A total of 2913 fact- checks have
been published so far. All fact-checks are available across PIB Fact Check official social media
platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, Threads and WhatsApp Channel.
During Operation Sindoor, the PIB Fact Check Unit actively identified misinformation and hostile
narratives circulating online. It promptly acted on fact-checking false claims, providing authentic
information, and ensuring accurate public communication, thereby helping prevent the spread of
misleading and anti-India narratives. Ministry also issued directions for blocking of over 1,400 such
URLs on digital media during Operation Sindoor.
For the publishers of news and current affairs on digital media and publishers of online curated
content, the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules,
2021 (IT Rules, 2021) provides for a Code of Ethics along with a three-level institutional mechanism
for redressal of grievance relating to violation of Code of Ethics by such publishers.
This Information was submitted by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L.
Murugan in the Lok Sabha today in response of an unstarred question of Shri. V K Sreekandan.
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Mahesh Kumar/ Aparajita Priyadarshini
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