The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has processed 6,841 complaints and examined 6,117 advertisements for potential violations between April and September 2025. The figures have marked a 70% rise in complaints and a 102% jump in ads reviewed compared to the same period last year, driven by stronger surveillance and greater public vigilance.
Digital media has continued to dominate the space of non-compliance, accounting for 97% of all violations across platforms such as Meta, Google, and various websites. ASCI has found that 98% of the ads processed have required modifications, with 62% of cases remaining uncontested. The self-regulatory body has noted a steady increase in voluntary compliance, which has risen to 88%, indicating a more proactive response from advertisers.
Illegal offshore betting promotions have remained the biggest offenders, followed by misleading claims in the personal care and healthcare sectors. ASCI has reported that 81.48% of violative ads have promoted harmful products or unsafe situations, breaching the Code Against Harmful Products or Situations. More than 4,575 betting ads have been escalated to regulatory bodies including the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.
In its second dipstick study of India’s top 100 digital influencers, ASCI has found that 76% have failed to comply with disclosure norms, an increase from 69% the previous year. Of the 1,173 influencer ads investigated, 98% have required modification, with more than three-fourths related to betting and personal care categories.
While post-investigation compliance among influencers has improved to 97%, ASCI has noted that most corrections occur only after its intervention. The report has underscored the need for stricter enforcement and coordinated regulatory action to deter repeat offenders and safeguard consumer interests.
“The widespread exposure to betting ads despite the ban, as well as the disappointing standards set by top influencers, are some challenges that have come to the fore in our recent work,” Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary-General, ASCI stated.
“Consumer trust can be fragile in the digital age, and such practices create problems for the industry at large. For repeat and wilful violators, stringent action by regulators would set a strong deterrent and help protect consumer interests,” she added.
