India's Proposed Policy Framework to Curb Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and Non-Consensual Explicit Content
How much it matters for each exam
- UPSC7/10
1At a glance
The Central Government is considering a comprehensive policy framework to tackle online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and the spread of non-consensual explicit content. The framework proposes to impose due diligence obligations on intermediaries, including mandatory removal of objectionable content and reporting to authorities. The government is also contemplating a statutory legislative mechanism for this purpose.
Policy Under Consideration
The government is working on a new policy to address the proliferation of online child sexual abuse material and non-consensual adult content.
Intermediary Liability
The proposed framework would impose responsibilities on intermediaries to remove flagged content and proactively report its upload to authorities.
Statutory Mechanism
A full-fledged legislative act is being considered to create a stronger legal backbone for combating such online harms.
2Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
3Detailed analysis
Context / Background
The digital ecosystem in India has seen a surge in harmful content, particularly child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and revenge porn. Existing laws like the IT Act, 2000, and the POCSO Act, 2012, have provisions but enforcement and intermediary accountability have been persistent challenges. The Supreme Court has been hearing petitions demanding stricter regulation of OTT and social media platforms to curb sexually explicit material.
Core Analysis & Implications
The proposed framework signifies a shift towards proactive and preventive regulation of online intermediaries. By mandating them to not just remove content but also report its origin, it aims to create a traceability mechanism. This could significantly impact the operations of social media platforms and OTT services, raising debates on privacy, encryption, and the practical feasibility of such monitoring. It also acknowledges third-party complaints, expanding the scope of grievance redressal beyond just the victim.
Future Outlook / Way Forward
The next step is the formulation and introduction of a statutory bill in Parliament. The adjournment of the Supreme Court hearing by four weeks suggests the Court is giving the government time to finalize its legislative proposal. The challenge will be to balance the imperative of user safety with fundamental rights like privacy and freedom of expression, while ensuring the proposed obligations on intermediaries are technologically sound and implementable.
4Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Intermediary
- As per the Information Technology Act, 2000, an intermediary is any entity that receives, stores, or transmits electronic records on behalf of others. This includes telecom service providers, network service providers, internet service providers, web-hosting service providers, search engines, online payment systems, online marketplaces, and social media platforms.
- POCSO Act, 2012
- The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act is a comprehensive law to protect children from offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and pornography. It mandates stringent punishment and establishes special courts for speedy trial.
- Solicitor General of India
- The Solicitor General of India is the second-highest law officer of the country, assisting the Attorney General. They represent the Union Government in the Supreme Court and are appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
5How exams will ask this
- Nodal Body: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- Legal Point: Intermediary liability under the Information Technology Act, 2000
- Policy Objective: Combating Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and non-consensual explicit content
Don't make this mistake!
Examiners may confuse the roles of the Attorney General and the Solicitor General, or ask about the POCSO Act's provisions on child pornography versus the IT Act's provisions on intermediary liability. They might also present a statement about the policy being 'enacted' when it is only 'under consideration'.
Write these in mains answers
"Proactive intermediary due diligence", "Balancing digital safety with fundamental rights", "Statutory framework for online harms"
6Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the proposed policy framework discussed in the Supreme Court:
- 1.It aims to address only Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and not content related to adults.
- 2.It proposes to make intermediaries responsible for removing objectionable content and reporting its upload.
- 3.The framework is being considered as a replacement for a statutory legislative mechanism.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because the article clearly states the framework aims to curb both CSAM and non-consensual explicit content involving adults. Statement 2 is correct as per the article's mention of intermediary responsibilities. Statement 3 is incorrect; the article states a statutory legislative mechanism is also under consideration, not that the policy framework replaces it.
- Q2Medium
For how many weeks did the Supreme Court bench adjourn the hearing on petitions seeking a ban on streaming sexually explicit content on OTT and social media platforms?
Explanation: The article explicitly states that the bench adjourned the hearing on the petitions for four weeks. This is a direct factual recall from the news content.
- Q3Medium
What is a key proposed feature of the policy framework to curb online sexual abuse material, as per the news article?
Explanation: The article highlights that the proposed framework would require intermediaries not just to remove objectionable content but also to provide information about its upload to the concerned authorities. This proactive reporting is a key shift from a purely reactive takedown model.
7All sources
Original27 October 2026 · Read story
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