India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Asks OTT Platforms to Display Drug Warnings

India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has recommended that over-the-top (OTT) platforms display a warning about the harmful effects of drug abuse during scenes depicting the consumption or use of narcotic drugs. This advisory, reportedly dated August 24, 2026, instructs platforms to show the message: “Illicit Narcotics Destroy Health and Guarantees Imprisonment. Say No to Drugs.”

The directive to OTT platforms follows a similar advisory issued to private satellite television channels on August 20. This indicates a coordinated effort by the ministry to address the depiction of drug use across broadcast and streaming media.

According to reports, OTT platforms are required to display the warning in a “clear, legible and prominent” manner during relevant scenes. This move builds on a previous advisory from November 2024, which urged OTT platforms to exercise due diligence, avoid portraying drug consumption as fashionable or socially acceptable, and comply with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The advisory for television channels is broader, applying to all programs rather than being tied to specific depictions of drug use. However, the specific August 24 advisory for OTT platforms has not been independently verified by MediaNama, which could not locate it on the MIB's website and has sought clarification from the ministry regarding its issuance and legal basis.