Understanding India's Internet Censorship Regime

India's internet censorship is largely influenced by the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that users select. The extent of access to various websites can differ significantly among ISPs due to government and court orders that mandate blocking certain domains. The Information Technology Act of 2000, specifically Sections 69A and 79, grants the government authority to issue these blocking orders, which ISPs are required to implement. However, the execution of these orders is inconsistent across different ISPs, leading to a fragmented censorship landscape.

The Hindu

A recent study conducted in 2025 examined the DNS servers of six major and regional ISPs, analyzing 294 million domains to assess the scale of website blocking in India. The findings revealed that out of 43,083 blocked domain names, only 1,414 were universally blocked by all ISPs. This inconsistency is particularly pronounced in categories such as piracy, pornography, and gambling, where blocking is not uniformly enforced. Conversely, domains associated with terrorism see a higher rate of consistent blocking across ISPs. Notably, some ISPs engage in arbitrary blocking, leading to a situation where a domain may be accessible through one provider but blocked by another, undermining the rationale for censorship.

The Hindu

The current censorship regime in India is characterized by a lack of transparency. Users often remain unaware of which domains are blocked, as there is no standardized framework for disclosure. While some domains are blocked for legitimate reasons, such as national security, the absence of a clear and consistent policy allows for overreach and arbitrary decisions by ISPs. Furthermore, domains that have been officially ordered to be unblocked may still remain inaccessible, with no penalties imposed on ISPs for non-compliance.

The Hindu

The Supreme Court's ruling in the case of Shreya Singhal vs. Union of India (2015) upheld the legality of Section 69A but emphasized the need for procedural safeguards, including the establishment of a review committee and the right for affected parties to be heard. However, these safeguards are ineffective in practice due to the patchwork nature of the current censorship system.

The Hindu

Critics argue that the lack of a cohesive framework for internet censorship in India infringes on user rights and freedoms. The arbitrary nature of blocking decisions and the absence of accountability mechanisms raise concerns about the potential for abuse. The opaque nature of the system further complicates the ability of users to understand and challenge censorship actions.

The Hindu

India's internet censorship regime is marked by significant inconsistencies and a lack of transparency, leading to arbitrary blocking practices by ISPs. While legal frameworks exist to regulate this censorship, their practical implementation remains flawed, necessitating a reevaluation of the current system to ensure user rights are protected and upheld.

The Hindu