Censorship tracker of March 2026: what the Indian government didn’t want you to see

MediaNama tracks a surge in online censorship across platforms in March 2026. Over 40 takedowns highlight growing pressure on digital speech in India. The post Censorship tracker of March 2026: what the Indian government didn’t want you to see appeared first on MEDIANAMA .

6 April 2026 at 11:54 am

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Censorship tracker of March 2026: what the Indian government didn’t want you to see

In March 2026, India experienced a significant surge in online censorship, as documented by MediaNama in their "Censorship Tracker." Over 40 instances of content takedowns, account blockings, and geo-blocking were reported, targeting more than 30 individuals, including journalists, satirists, and ordinary users. These actions highlighted growing pressure on digital speech in the country and coincided with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) proposing new amendments to the IT Rules.

The censorship spanned various platforms and content types. One notable case involved a college student's vlog of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's inauguration of an airport in Uttar Pradesh, which was taken down. Additionally, social media posts linked to a Caravan Magazine news report were censored, even as the original article remained accessible on the publication's website.

MediaNama's comprehensive documentation of these incidents revealed a pattern of targeting content critical of the Prime Minister or his administration. For example, Maktoob Media's founding editor, Aslah Kayyalakkath, reported that their video explainer on the Kunan Poshpora mass rape case was removed from X after a blocking order from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The post is no longer available on X, though the content can still be viewed on Instagram and YouTube.

Alt News fact-checker Mohammed Zubair faced similar censorship when his content was taken down on X following a blocking order from MeitY under Section 69A. Zubair responded by reposting screenshots of the removed posts, highlighting the government's efforts to suppress critical information.

These actions unfolded against the backdrop of MeitY's latest draft amendments to the IT Rules. The proposed changes aim to extend the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's (MIB) Code of Ethics oversight to user-generated "news and current affairs" content. Furthermore, platform compliance with ministry-issued directives would become a condition for retaining safe harbour protections under Section 79 of the IT Act.

The surge in censorship in March 2026 underscores the ongoing challenges faced by digital content creators and users in India. As the government tightens its grip on online speech, the need for robust documentation and transparency becomes even more critical. MediaNama's Censorship Tracker serves as a vital resource, shedding light on the government's efforts to control the flow of information and the impact on press freedom and democratic discourse.

Source: MEDIANAMA

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