India’s Department of Telecommunications approved net neutrality rules, which require that all users must have equal access to legal online content at the same price and speed. “Internet access services should be governed by a principle that restricts any form of discrimination or interference in the treatment of content,” the new Indian regulations state. That includes “practices like blocking, degrading, slowing down or granting preferential speeds or treatment to any content.” Providers will treat all online content the same, preventing them from favoring — or withholding — access to certain websites, services, or apps.
“Any deviations and violations of the rules of net neutrality — which come into effect almost immediately — will be met with stiff penalties,” Department of Telecommunications secretary Aruna Sundararajan said. New and emerging services such as autonomous driving and telemedicine are exempt, as they will require faster internet.
Over two-thirds of the country’s population does not have access to the internet, but that is changing fast because of a smartphone boom and affordably priced mobile data.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
