Drugs Rules 1945 Amended: Stem Cell & Gene Therapies Under Central Licensing Ambit

IT Rules 2026 Amended: Social Media Intermediaries Must Remove Sensitive Content in 2 Hours

The Centre has tightened the IT Rules, 2021 through amendments effective February 10, 2026, drastically reducing the timeline for social media platforms to remove sensitive content—from 24 hours to just 2 hours. This move aims to curb deepfakes and AI-generated harmful content, and non-compliance will strip platforms of their safe harbour protection under Section 79 of the IT Act.

Centre Notifies Legal Metrology (IST) Rules, 2026; Mandates Common Time Reference

India has mandated Indian Standard Time (IST) as the single legal time reference under the Legal Metrology (IST) Rules, 2026. This move aims to synchronize critical infrastructure like banking, telecom, and power grids, while reducing dependence on foreign time sources like GPS, enhancing national security.

MeitY Summons Meta Global Team Over Algorithmic Bias; Parliamentary Panel to Question

Government summons Meta's global team to clarify algorithmic bias and role in public order after MeitY rejects technical glitch explanation. Parliamentary panel will also question the company. This highlights growing regulatory scrutiny on social media algorithms and their societal impact.

Parliamentary Panel Demands Meta Apology Over PM Video Removal, Threatens Revocation of Safe Harbour Under IT Act Section 79

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT, chaired by Nishikant Dubey, has demanded Meta apologize for erroneously blocking PM Modi's video, or face revocation of safe harbour under Section 79 of the IT Act. Similar action is threatened against Google India for financial frauds. This highlights the government's push to enforce intermediary accountability and the conditional nature of safe harbour immunity.

IT Rules 2025 Amendments: Joint Secretary Rank Mandated for Content Removal, Monthly Review by Secretary

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology informed Lok Sabha that amendments to IT rules (November 2025) enhance safeguards for content removal, requiring Joint Secretary-level officers to issue directions and monthly review by Secretary. This is crucial for understanding intermediary liability and digital governance.

1.95 Lakh Blocking Orders in 5 Months via Sahyog Portal; Meta Automates Takedown Under IT Act

Between March and July 2026, government agencies issued 1.95 lakh social media blocking orders through the Home Ministry's Sahyog portal — one every 68 seconds. Meta has automated takedowns by linking its API to the portal to meet the mandated 2-3 hour timeline, raising serious questions under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act. This is a high-yield intermediary liability, free speech and digital governance issue for exams.

Nine-Judge SC Bench Set to Define 'Industry' under ID Act; NMC Proposes Single Nationwide Doctor Licence

Today's digest packs multiple high-yield facts: NMC proposes a UID-based single licence for doctors valid across India, a nine-judge Supreme Court Bench is set to pronounce its verdict on the meaning of 'industry' under the Industrial Disputes Act, and Bangladesh holds its first presidential election in 35 years. For aspirants, the NMC draft regulation and the SC verdict are direct Prelims and Mains material for healthcare policy, labour law, and constitutional interpretation.

Copyright Office Rules AI System DABUS Cannot Be Author, Work Still Eligible for Copyright

The Indian Copyright Office ruled that AI system DABUS cannot be legally recognised as an author under the Copyright Act, but the artwork it generated is original enough for copyright protection. The order clarifies that authorship requires a 'person' who 'causes' the work to be created, which under Indian law can only be a natural or juristic person. This is a landmark decision on AI and copyright in India.