Centre Issues Advisory to Ban Pakistani-Origin Content on OTT Platforms
The advisory was sent to publishers of online curated content, media streaming platforms, and digital intermediaries.
In a decisive move to safeguard national security, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a formal advisory directing OTT platforms, media streaming services, and digital intermediaries to immediately discontinue all content originating from Pakistan. The advisory, approved by the competent authority and signed by Deputy Director Kshitij Aggarwal, was released today.
The advisory was sent to publishers of online curated content, media streaming platforms, and digital intermediaries. It refers to Part III of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which outlines a Code of Ethics for content publishers.
According to the Code, publishers are expected to avoid content that:
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Affects the sovereignty and integrity of India,
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Threatens national security or jeopardizes the State,
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Harms India’s foreign relations, especially with friendly nations,
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Incites violence or disturbs public order.
The Ministry also invoked Rule 3(1)(b) of the IT Rules, 2021, which mandates intermediaries to avoid hosting or distributing content that threatens India’s unity, integrity, defense, or public order.
The advisory directly links recent acts of terrorism, including the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack, to Pakistan-based state and non-state actors. That attack resulted in the deaths of several Indian and Nepali civilians and injuries to many others.
“In the interest of national security,” the advisory stated, “all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms, and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming content originating in Pakistan, whether subscription-based or otherwise, with immediate effect.”
This marks one of the strongest digital media actions taken by the Indian government in the backdrop of escalating cross-border tensions, and is expected to have far-reaching implications for cross-border content exchange.
Copies of the advisory have also been sent to:
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Self-Regulatory Bodies of OTT Platforms
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Associations/Bodies of OTT Platforms
The move underscores India's broader strategy to respond not only militarily but also diplomatically and digitally in the wake of rising hostilities with Pakistan.