Archive · 9 Jan 2026
AI labelling rules to ease burden on routine edits
The Indian government is updating its rules for AI-generated content.
They are making it easier for companies and creators by saying that small changes, like adjusting the brightness of a photo or fixing a typo, won't need special labels.
Only content that is completely made or changed by AI, like deepfakes, will need clear labels.
This is to make sure people know when something is fake but not to make small edits too complicated.
The rules will apply only to content shared publicly on social media, not private or unpublished material.
The goal is to be transparent without making it hard for people to create or share content.
Government to exclude routine, good-faith edits from mandatory AI labelling requirements.
Routine actions like adjusting brightness, colour, audio cleanup, and basic visual refinements will not require disclosure.
Feature films, certified dramas, and other content approved by statutory authorities are exempt from labelling.
Educational content with AI-generated elements will require disclosure.
Deepfakes and fully synthetic content must carry permanent, non-removable labels covering at least 10% of the screen area for visual content and audible disclosure for audio.
Labelling obligations apply only to publicly shared or published content on social media platforms.
- Who
- Technology companies, content creators, government officials
- What
- AI labelling regime to ease compliance burden on routine edits
- When
- Final rules to be notified later this month
- Where
- India
- Why
- To address industry concerns and distinguish minor enhancements from AI-generated content
- Scope of Labelling
- Excludes routine, good-faith edits from mandatory disclosure
- Routine Actions Excluded
- Adjusting brightness, colour, audio cleanup, filters, auto-correct, basic visual refinements
- Content Exempt from Labelling
- Feature films, certified dramas, other content approved by statutory authorities
- Educational Content
- Requires disclosure where AI-generated elements are involved
- Deepfakes and Synthetic Content
- Must carry permanent, non-removable labels covering at least 10% of screen area for visual content and audible disclosure for audio
- Enforcement Scope
- Applies only to publicly shared or published content on social media platforms
- Legal Framework
- Introduced through amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021