The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has proposed a set of Guidelines for Accessibility of Content on Platforms of Publishers of Online Curated Content (OTT Platforms) for Persons with Hearing and Visual Impairment and has invited public comments on the draft.
As per the ministry’s notification, the guidelines aim to make OTT content more inclusive through features like subtitles, closed captioning, audio descriptions, and Indian Sign Language interpretation. Stakeholders and members of the public have been invited to share their comments by October 22, 2025.
The draft guidelines have been framed in line with India’s commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. They are designed to ensure equal access to recreational content for people with disabilities by setting accessibility standards for audio-visual material and OTT user interfaces.
Under the proposed implementation plan, all new content on OTT platforms will be required to include at least one accessibility feature, Closed/Open Captioning (CC/OC), Audio Description (AD), or Indian Sign Language (ISL), within six months of the guidelines’ publication. Over the next two years, platforms are expected to progressively make their entire content libraries accessible, starting with 30% in 12 months and reaching full compliance within 24 months.
The guidelines have also specified that OTT platforms must submit quarterly progress reports and work collaboratively with organisations promoting accessibility. Certain content categories, such as live or deferred live content, short-form videos, and audio-only formats, have been exempted due to technical and operational challenges.
To oversee the rollout and address grievances, the ministry has proposed forming a committee chaired by a Joint Secretary-level officer. The committee will monitor implementation and convene quarterly to review compliance progress.
