All new streaming content must incorporate at least one accessibility feature for both hearing and visually impaired viewers within 36 months of the notification
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has introduced comprehensive accessibility guidelines for over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms, aiming to better serve audiences with hearing and visual impairments. The directives instruct platforms to gradually integrate features such as captions, audio descriptions, and Indian Sign Language (ISL) interpretation across their content libraries, according to media reports.
Officially titled Guidelines for Accessibility of Content on Platforms of Publishers of Online Curated Content (OTT Platforms) for Persons with Hearing and Visual Impairment, the framework was released on February 6, 2026, via an office memorandum. It applies to all OTT content publishers and their respective self-regulatory organizations.
The policy is grounded in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016, which mandates accessible information and communication technologies. The ministry has also cited India’s commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) as guiding principles. MIB notes that these guidelines extend the accessibility standards first applied to television in 2019 to the OTT sector.
Under the new rules, all new content released on streaming platforms must include at least one accessibility feature for hearing- and visually-impaired viewers within 36 months of notification. These measures include:
Closed or open captions and/or Indian Sign Language (ISL) support for hearing-impaired audiences
Audio description (AD) tracks for visually-impaired users
OTT platforms must also prominently indicate the availability of such features using markers like CC, AD, and ISL at the time of content release, including trailers, teasers, and other promotional materials.
In addition to content requirements, the guidelines stipulate that OTT apps and websites across devices—including smartphones, smart TVs, desktops, and web interfaces—must be compatible with assistive technologies, ensuring accessible navigation and user interfaces for persons with disabilities.
