Date: 2026-05-22Category: Extra OrdinaryState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Notification regarding authorization of Joint Secretary (Films) to issue content takedown notices to intermediaries under IT Rules, 2021 and Cinematograph Act, 1952
**Summary of Gazette Notification S.O. 2613(E)**
**Issuing Authority:** Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India
**Date of Notification:** May 19, 2026
**Publication Date:** May 22, 2026
**Notification Number:** S.O. 2613(E) / Gazette No. 2521
**File Reference:** F. No. M-11017/3/2026-DO(FA)
**Overview**
In accordance with the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the Central Government has officially designated the **Joint Secretary (Films)** within the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as the authorized officer to issue notices to intermediaries.
**Legal Framework and Mandate**
The notification is issued under the following statutory provisions:
* **Information Technology Act, 2000:** Section 79, sub-section (3), clause (b).
* **Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021:** Rule 3, sub-rule (1), clause (d).
* **Cinematograph Act, 1952:** Section 7, sub-section (1B), clause (ii).
**Purpose**
The Joint Secretary (Films) is empowered to issue formal notices to intermediaries concerning "unlawful information" as defined under the specified sections of the Cinematograph Act. This designation establishes the Joint Secretary (Films) as the "appropriate Government" representative for the purpose of initiating these enforcement actions.
**Contact and Administrative Information**
* **Signatory:** Surajit Indu, Under Secretary.
* **Place of Issue:** New Delhi.
* **Publisher:** Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054 (Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Mayapuri, New Delhi).
* **Registration Number:** REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99.
Key Entities Referenced
Joint Secretary (Films), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: The specific authority designated by the Central Government to issue notices to intermediaries for the removal of unlawful information.
Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021: The regulatory framework cited to authorize the designation of an official for issuing takedown notices to digital intermediaries.
Cinematograph Act, 1952: The legislation defining the scope of 'unlawful information' for which the designated official is empowered to issue notices.
Information Technology Act, 2000: The primary law governing electronic commerce and intermediary liability, providing the legal basis for this notification.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-22052026-272799
CG-DxLx-xEG-I2D2H0x5x2x0 26-272799
xxxGIDExxx
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 2521] नई दिल्ली, िुक्रवार, मई 22, 2026/ज्य ष्े ठ 1, 1948
No. 2521] NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2026/JYAISTHA 1, 1948
सचू ना और प्रसारण मत्रं ालय
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 19 मई, 2026
का.आ. 2613(अ).— सूचना प्रौद्योगिकी (मध्यवर्ती दिशागनिेश और गिगिटल मीगिया आचार संगिर्ता) गनयम
2021 के गनयम 3 के उप-गनयम (1) के खंि (घ) के साथ पठिर्त सूचना प्रौद्योगिकी अगिगनयम, 2000 (2000 का 21) की
िारा 79 की उप-िारा (3) के खंि (ख) के अनुसरण म,ें केंद्र सरकार, उपयक्तु सरकार िोने के नार्ते, संयुक्त सगचव (दिल्म),
सूचना और प्रसारण मंत्रालय को चलगचत्र अगिगनयम, 1952 की िारा 7 की उप िारा (1ख) के खिं (ii) के अनुसार दकसी
भी िैरकानूनी सूचना के संबंि म ें मध्यस्थों को नोठटस िारी करने के प्रयोिनार् थ एतिद्वारा अजधसूजचत करती ह।ै
[फा. स. ं एम-11017/3/2026-डीओ(एफए)]
सुरिीत इंि,ु अवर सजचव
3657 GI/2026 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 19th May, 2026
S.O. 2613(E).— In pursuance of clause (b) of sub-section (3) of section 79 of the Information
Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000), read with clause (d) of sub-rule (1) of rule 3 of the Information
Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, the Central Government
being the appropriate Government hereby notifies Joint Secretary (Films), Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting, for the purpose of issuing notice to the intermediaries in relation to any unlawful information
as per clause (ii) of sub section (1B) of section 7 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
[F. No. M-11017/3/2026-DO(FA)]
SURAJIT INDU, Under Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.