The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) on March 11, 2026, notified regarding the Guidelines and Regulatory Framework to Prevent Misleading Advertisements on TV Channels.
Advertisements aired on private satellite TV channels must comply with the Advertising Code under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, which prohibits advertisements that claim miraculous or supernatural properties that are difficult to prove. Authorities take action against channels violating these provisions, and broadcasters are periodically issued advisories to ensure compliance.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), established under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, regulates issues related to consumer rights violations, unfair trade practices, and misleading advertisements. It has issued the Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Prohibition of Approval of Misleading Advertisements, 2022, which outline rules for legitimate advertising, restrictions on misleading or child-targeted ads, and responsibilities of advertisers and agencies.
The guidelines also require due diligence before publishing advertisements, ensuring that any claims made are genuine, based on sufficient knowledge or experience, and not misleading. Additionally, if Indian professionals are legally barred from endorsing certain advertisements, foreign professionals in the same field are also not allowed to endorse them.
[Release ID: 2238403]
