The centre is considering the introduction of draft rules to address obscenity in online content, The Indian Express reports. Besides drawing some boundaries – making religious or community attacks, inciting
people, false, and suggestive innuendoes, among others – the draft IT (Digital Code) Rules, 2026, take into account the classification of all digital content by age suitability.
Last March, the Supreme Court had asked the Solicitor General to frame proposals that would not only shield free speech under Article 19(1) of the Constitution, but also ensure the constitutionally permissible “reasonable restrictions” under Article 19(2).
This came in the backdrop of the controversy revolving around social media influencers Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay Raina over the comments made on a YouTube show.
Allahbadia, aka ‘Beer Biceps’, made an obscene parental joke during Samay Raina’s India Got Latent, triggering a huge controversy. Later, however, the YouTuber had apologised for his behaviour.
Meanwhile, a case into the matter is scheduled to be heard on January 29.
The draft IT (Digital Code) Rules, 2026, underlines that “any digital content shall be deemed to be obscene if it is ‘lascivious, or appeals to the prurient interest, or if its effect tends to deprave and corrupt persons”, as per the report by the outlet.
As per the draft rules, digital content shall not –
- Offend against good taste or decency
- Consist of anything obscene, defamatory, deliberate, false and suggestive.
- Make attacks on religions or communities
- Represent violence, or crime as desirable
- Feature indecent, vulgar, or offensive themes.
