Govt mandates features on OTT platforms for hearing and visually impaired

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued accessibility guidelines for OTT platforms on February 6, 2026, requiring features for hearing and visually impaired audiences. The rules mandate captions or sign language for hearing-impaired users and audio descriptions for visually impaired viewers on new content. The announcement was made in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State L. Murugan. The move aims to make digital streaming content more inclusive across India.

Streaming platforms in India are now required to rethink how their content is presented, not just what they show.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a new set of accessibility guidelines aimed at ensuring that films, series, and other digital content can be accessed by viewers with hearing and visual impairments.

The guidelines, released on February 6, 2026, apply to publishers of online curated content, commonly known as OTT platforms. They establish both mandatory features and a phased implementation schedule for compliance.

OTT accessibility rules mandate captions and audio description

Under the new framework, all newly published content must include at least one accessibility feature for each category of disability.

For viewers with hearing impairment, platforms must provide options such as closed captioning, open captioning, or Indian Sign Language interpretation. For visually impaired audiences, content must include audio descriptions that narrate visual elements of a scene.

These requirements are designed to ensure that accessibility is integrated into content at the point of release, rather than added later.

The guidelines also outline a structured rollout timeline, allowing platforms to align production workflows with the new standards.

Government statement in Rajya Sabha on OTT accessibility policy

The policy details were presented in Parliament by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan in response to a question raised by Member of Parliament Maya Naroliya.

The ministry said the objective is to make audio visual content accessible to a broader segment of the population, particularly those who face barriers in consuming standard formats of digital media.

The guidelines have been made publicly available through the ministry’s official website under its policy documents section.

Push for inclusive digital media and compliance expectations

The move reflects a wider shift toward accessibility in digital services, as governments and regulators increasingly emphasize inclusion in technology and media.

OTT platforms have expanded rapidly in India over the past decade, becoming a primary source of entertainment across languages and regions. The new rules bring accessibility into that growth trajectory.

For content creators and platforms, the guidelines introduce new compliance requirements that will affect production, post-production, and distribution processes.

For viewers, particularly those with disabilities, the changes are expected to expand access to mainstream entertainment and information.

The guidelines position accessibility not as an optional feature but as a baseline requirement for digital content distribution in India’s evolving media landscape.

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