The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), on December 12, 2025, released draft rules/guidelines on accessibility of content on OTT platforms for persons with hearing and visual impairments, inviting public consultation. The draft aims to enhance inclusive access to online curated audio-visual content and has been issued as part of the Government’s Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav initiatives.
The proposed guidelines are grounded in Article 14 of the Constitution, India’s commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. They seek to ensure that OTT content incorporates accessibility features such as subtitles, captions, audio descriptions, and other assistive measures for users with sensory disabilities.
The draft framework also proposes a two-phase implementation schedule, aligning with the phased approach earlier adopted in the Standards for Accessibility in Television Programming for Persons with Hearing Impairments (2019)—initially covering public broadcasters like Prasar Bharati, followed by private broadcasters and digital platforms. The move signals the Government’s intent to progressively mandate accessibility compliance across OTT platforms.
[Notification No. 2203140]
