---
title: "Tech Policy News India: Digital Rules, Regulation"
description: "India tech and digital policy news: MeitY, RBI, TRAI and court rulings, data protection and platform rules, from newsrooms and official sources."
url: "https://bharat.digital/policy/index.md"
canonical: "https://bharat.digital/policy/"
published: "2026-11-02T00:12:33+05:30"
updated: "2026-11-02T08:30:01+05:30"
section: "Policy"
date: "2026-11-02"
language: "en-IN"
site: "bharat.digital"
---

# Policy: Monday 2 November 2026

1 stories. Cite the publisher using original_url.

## DPDP compliance countdown

From our sister site dpdpr.in (https://dpdpr.in/), an independent plain English reference to the DPDP Act and Rules. Counts as of 02 November 2026, 08:30 IST.

- 13 November 2025: Definitions and the Data Protection Board (Sections 1, 2, 18 to 26, 35, 38 to 43 of the Act; rules 1, 2 and 17 to 21). In force.
- 13 November 2026: Consent Manager registration (Section 6(9) and section 27(1)(d); rule 4 and the First Schedule). 10 days to go.
- 13 May 2027: Main duties of businesses, rights and penalties (Most of the Act, including sections 3 to 17 and 28 to 34; rules 3, 5 to 16, 22 and 23). 191 days to go.

[dpdpr.in](https://dpdpr.in/) | [Deadlines](https://dpdpr.in/deadlines/) | [Enforcement tracker](https://dpdpr.in/enforcement/) | [Compliance checklist](https://dpdpr.in/guides/compliance-checklist/)

Sources: [Commencement notification G.S.R. 843(E), 13 November 2025 (MeitY copy of the Gazette)](https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2025/11/c56ceae6c383460ca69577428d36828b.pdf); [Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, G.S.R. 846(E), rule 1 (MeitY)](https://www.meity.gov.in/static/uploads/2025/11/53450e6e5dc0bfa85ebd78686cadad39.pdf)

## From the desk

- [India wants AI to come to the data: what MeitY's DEPA for AI Training actually proposes](https://bharat.digital/originals/depa-for-ai-training-meity-sealed-rooms/index.md) (Analysis, 2026-10-31, 5 min read): The draft framework, built with iSPIRT, would let startups train models on hospital, bank and government data inside sealed compute rooms. It is not binding yet, and the hard questions on payment and liability are still open.
- [India's DPDP compliance timeline, explained: what switches on, and when](https://bharat.digital/originals/dpdp-compliance-timeline-explained/index.md) (Feature, 2026-10-29, 3 min read): The data protection law arrives in three phases between November 2025 and May 2027. What each phase covers, the dates that matter for businesses, and where to read the full text for free.

### Weekly VC funding stays subdued at $115M; Prosus gets CCI nod for Navi investment

- Source: YourStory
- Published: 2 November 2026, 07:30 IST (2026-11-02T07:30+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/2c3a5a862608
- original_url: https://yourstory.com/2026/11/weekly-vc-funding-stays-subdued-at-115m
- Image: https://bharat.digital/img/2c3a5a862608-l.webp

Venture capital funding for Indian startups remained subdued through October, with the final week of the month reflecting the continued slowdown in investor activity.

## Earlier: Sunday 1 November 2026

#### India's Digi Yatra Expands to International Flights with Airport Trials

- Source: X News (AI summary of posts on X)
- Published: 1 November 2026, 20:26 IST (2026-11-01T20:26+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/16c2cefd3909
- original_url: https://x.com/i/trending/2116906321299792071

Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced trials starting today at seven airports, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai, and Amritsar, for Air India and IndiGo international flights.

#### Prosus investment in Sachin Bansal's Navi gets CCI nod

- Source: YourStory
- Published: 1 November 2026, 17:53 IST (2026-11-01T17:53+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/d6e71a521717
- original_url: https://yourstory.com/2026/11/prosus-investment-in-sachin-bansals-navi-gets-cci-nod
- Image: https://bharat.digital/img/d6e71a521717-l.webp

CCI has approved Prosus’ proposal to acquire a stake in Navi Ltd, following the fintech firm’s $100 million fundraise from the Dutch investment group in August. The deal will deepen Prosus’ presence in India’s digital financial services sector.

#### CCI clears Prosus' proposal to acquire stake in Sachin Bansal-led Navi

- Source: The Economic Times
- Published: 1 November 2026, 17:27 IST (2026-11-01T17:27+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/298b02767c05
- original_url: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/banking/finance/cci-clears-prosus-proposal-to-acquire-stake-in-sachin-bansal-led-navi/articleshow/135424887.cms
- Image: https://bharat.digital/img/298b02767c05-l.webp

Competition Commission of India has approved Prosus' acquisition of a stake in Navi Ltd. This move aims to enhance Prosus' position in India's digital financial services market.

#### EPFO Launches WhatsApp Services and Auto-Settlements on 74th Foundation Day

- Source: X News (AI summary of posts on X)
- Published: 1 November 2026, 19:43 IST (2026-11-01T19:43+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/d48f3e8eaa82
- original_url: https://x.com/i/trending/2116845099690885478

#### EPFO Marks 74th Foundation Day with Reforms and Coverage Expansion

- Source: X News (AI summary of posts on X)
- Published: 1 November 2026, 12:09 IST (2026-11-01T12:09+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/2d2633198213
- original_url: https://x.com/i/trending/2116748427421770022

Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated events in New Delhi, launching automatic settlements for small inoperative accounts, WhatsApp services, and the Vishwas 2026 scheme for employers to settle damages at reduced rates until December 28.

## Earlier: Saturday 31 October 2026

#### Journalist's Entire Website Suspended Over Single Article Order

- Source: X News (AI summary of posts on X)
- Published: 31 October 2026, 19:54 IST (2026-10-31T19:54+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/5d3459f9800e
- original_url: https://x.com/i/trending/2116390758194217015

On October 28, web host Hostinger abruptly took down paranjoy.in and its subdomains after an ex-parte court order demanded removal of a single 2019 article critical of Indiabulls Nests Limited.

#### Maharashtra Plans Unified AI Platform for Ola, Uber and Taxi Services

- Source: X News (AI summary of posts on X)
- Published: 31 October 2026, 19:19 IST (2026-10-31T19:19+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/4d4ebb665641
- original_url: https://x.com/i/trending/2116526618260984092

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed officials on October 29 to create an AI-powered digital platform integrating major taxi services in Maharashtra.

#### MeitY launches DEPA handbook to enable secure data sharing for AI training

- Source: BusinessLine
- Published: 31 October 2026, 15:24 IST (2026-10-31T15:24+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/cb6482d1a9ca
- original_url: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/meity-launches-depa-handbook-to-enable-secure-data-sharing-for-ai-training/article71648821.ece
- Image: https://bharat.digital/img/cb6482d1a9ca-l.webp

The framework seeks to address challenges that often restrict data sharing, including concerns around privacy, confidentiality, intellectual property and institutional control

#### Jio Platforms’ first post-listing results: User growth, higher ARPU drive 13.7% profit rise in Q2

- Source: YourStory
- Published: 31 October 2026, 14:17 IST (2026-10-31T14:17+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/161f110ee016
- original_url: https://yourstory.com/2026/10/jio-platforms-first-post-listing-results-user-growth-higher-arpu-drive-137-pc-profit-rise-in-q2
- Image: https://bharat.digital/img/161f110ee016-l.webp

The digital and telecom company's consolidated revenue from operations rose 11.4% to Rs 40,475 crore during the quarter under review.

#### Indian Telecoms Launch Affordable Voice-Only Prepaid Plans

- Source: X News (AI summary of posts on X)
- Published: 31 October 2026, 16:30 IST (2026-10-31T16:30+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/369fa33c8aa4
- original_url: https://x.com/i/trending/2116450233182003235

Following TRAI's directive, operators rolled out dedicated voice-and-SMS plans without data, starting as low as Rs 147 for 22 days of unlimited calls and 300 SMS from Jio.

#### Open digital infra has critical role to play in accelerating digitalisation of retail sector: DPIIT Secretary

- Source: BusinessLine
- Published: 31 October 2026, 09:56 IST (2026-10-31T09:56+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/5d197a065a81
- original_url: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/open-digital-infra-has-critical-role-to-play-in-accelerating-digitalisation-of-retail-sector-dpiit-secretary/article71648171.ece
- Image: https://bharat.digital/img/5d197a065a81-l.webp

DPIIT Secretary Bhatia in New Delhi touts ONDC DigiDukaan, linking 21,000 retailers and 450 brands to streamline pricing and availability

## Earlier: Friday 30 October 2026

#### \[Update\] CCI Clears Navi’s $100 Mn Investment From Prosus

- Source: Inc42
- Published: 30 October 2026, 19:55 IST (2026-10-30T19:55+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/a33e9aa715a3
- original_url: https://inc42.com/buzz/ipo-bound-navi-raises-100-mn-from-prosus-in-maiden-institutional-round/
- Image: https://bharat.digital/img/a33e9aa715a3-l.webp

Update | Oct 30, 19:55 IST The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has cleared Prosus’ investment in Navi to acquire…

#### Data Protection Board to be in place ‘pretty soon’: Government Sources

- Source: BusinessLine
- Published: 30 October 2026, 19:51 IST (2026-10-30T19:51+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/bf8f46210cc7
- original_url: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/data-protection-board-to-be-in-place-pretty-soon-government-sources/article71645304.ece
- Image: https://bharat.digital/img/bf8f46210cc7-l.webp

The Kerala High Court had on October 17, directed the Centre to make the Data Protection Board functional within eight weeks

#### India Launches Nationwide Digital Life Certificate Campaign for Pensioners

- Source: X News (AI summary of posts on X)
- Published: 30 October 2026, 17:42 IST (2026-10-30T17:42+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/075bc4442d70
- original_url: https://x.com/i/trending/2116140158562996237

From November 1 to 30, 2026, the Indian government is running its fifth Digital Life Certificate Campaign across 2,000 cities and districts, targeting millions of pensioners.

#### Monthly Data on India’s International Trade in Services for the Month of September 2026

- Source: RBI
- Published: 30 October 2026, 17:30 IST (2026-10-30T17:30+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/99a5d2c4b97a
- original_url: https://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/BS_PressReleaseDisplay.aspx?prid=63893

#### TRAI September 2026 data: India adds 6.47M broadband connections to reach 1.108B

- Source: Medianama
- Published: 30 October 2026, 14:45 IST (2026-10-30T14:45+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/25c11664da93
- original_url: https://www.medianama.com/2026/10/223-trai-september-broadband-connections/
- Image: https://bharat.digital/img/25c11664da93.webp

India's broadband connections reached 1.108 billion in September 2026, up 0.59% from August. Jio and Airtel dominated the market, while 5G fixed wireless access subscriptions continued to grow.

#### Government Blocking Orders to Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Surge

- Source: X News (AI summary of posts on X)
- Published: 30 October 2026, 02:24 IST (2026-10-30T02:24+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/54059b314e57
- original_url: https://x.com/i/trending/2115908516255052095

Indian authorities reportedly sent close to 1.95 lakh blocking orders to Instagram, Facebook and YouTube between March and July 2026, roughly one every 68 seconds, through the Sahyog portal.

## Earlier: Thursday 29 October 2026

#### In favour of press freedom: 10 changes that could be made in the DPDP Act

- Source: Medianama
- Published: 29 October 2026, 18:36 IST (2026-10-29T18:36+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/6c307e55e1d0
- original_url: https://www.medianama.com/2026/10/223-press-freedom-changes-dpdp-act/
- Image: https://bharat.digital/img/6c307e55e1d0-l.webp

As the IT Minister said the govt will listen to the news industry's concerns related to the DPDP Act, here's a list of changes needed, raised by bodies like the DNPA, PCI, EGI etc. over the years.

#### RBI releases data on ECB / FCCB / RDB for August 2026

- Source: RBI
- Published: 29 October 2026, 17:05 IST (2026-10-29T17:05+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/ac6bf0d02f59
- original_url: https://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/BS_PressReleaseDisplay.aspx?prid=63882

#### Soap in a phone box: Flipkart can’t evade responsibility as intermediary, says consumer commission

- Source: Medianama
- Published: 29 October 2026, 16:09 IST (2026-10-29T16:09+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/2f8bfce69844
- original_url: https://www.medianama.com/2026/10/223-flipkart-soap-instead-phone-intermediary-liability-consumer-commission/
- Image: https://bharat.digital/img/2f8bfce69844-l.webp

Flipkart argued that it was only an intermediary. The consumer commission rejected that defence in a wrong-delivery dispute.

#### Father's Aadhaar DOB Ordeal Sparks India Bureaucracy Debate

- Source: X News (AI summary of posts on X)
- Published: 29 October 2026, 12:40 IST (2026-10-29T12:40+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/f7ef9421d52d
- original_url: https://x.com/i/trending/2115476759508349310

Kulkarni described photographing a sample form off the wall, dealing with an illegible stamp on the old birth certificate, and facing a 2-3 month wait across departments.

#### Bombay HC tells Meta, California courts can’t decide IT Rules violations in Blink Digital case

- Source: Medianama
- Published: 29 October 2026, 15:33 IST (2026-10-29T15:33+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/04c3ed57982f
- original_url: https://www.medianama.com/2026/10/223-bombay-hc-meta-california-courts-it-rules/
- Image: https://bharat.digital/img/04c3ed57982f-l.webp

#### India Blocks Nearly 2 Lakh Social Media Posts Amid Free Speech Debate

- Source: X News (AI summary of posts on X)
- Published: 29 October 2026, 10:42 IST (2026-10-29T10:42+05:30)
- Section: Policy
- Link: https://bharat.digital/s/8204ba29d1b2
- original_url: https://x.com/i/trending/2115473672693817636

Between March and July 2026, Indian authorities issued nearly 1.95 lakh blocking orders to Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, averaging one every 68 seconds, with Instagram hit hardest at around 1 lakh.