Govt. notifies TRP-2026; tightens audit norms, expands sample size

The Information & Broadcasting Ministry on Friday (March 27, 2026) released the TV Ratings Policy (TRP) 2026, replacing the guidelines that were in effect since January 16, 2014. The new policy tightens audit norms, introduces enhanced sample size and representative data for accuracy, and lowers entry barriers for rating agencies.

“The policy defines clear standards for the registration, operation, audit, and oversight of agencies providing TV rating services, with the aim of ensuring transparency, independence, and accountability in audience measurement,” said the Ministry.

Under the new policy, the net-worth requirement for a company willing to register as TV rating agency has been reduced from existing ₹20 crore to ₹5 crore. In order to ensure neutrality, it provides that at least 50% of the board of directors must be independent directors with no ties to broadcasters, advertisers, or advertising agencies. The agencies also cannot engage in consultancy roles that could create conflicts of interest.

“To improve data accuracy, agencies must scale up their operations to 80,000 metered homes within 18 months (six months for existing rating agency), eventually reaching 1,20,000 homes. Measurement must be technology-neutral, capturing data across Cable, DTH, OTT, and Connected TVs. The data shall be captured from all the TV viewing screens of the metered homes,” it said.

Agencies are required to publish their detailed methodology and anonymised data on their websites. All operations have to strictly comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, to safeguard viewer privacy.

“A dual-audit system is now mandatory, featuring quarterly internal audits and annual independent external audits. The Ministry will also constitute an Audit & Oversight Team for periodic field inspections,” said the Ministry, adding that agencies are also required to appoint a nodal officer to resolve complaints within 10 days and establish an appellate authority for escalated disputes.

The policy states that any viewership arising out of “landing page” will not be counted in the viewership measurement. The page can be used only as a marketing tool. The broadcasters will have to disclose the availability of its channel on it, if any, to the rating agency.

“Non-compliance will attract graded penalties, ranging from temporary suspensions of ratings to the cancellation of registration for repeat violations,” it said.

TV distribution or OTT platforms have been allowed to publish periodic viewership data of broadcasters or channels being played on them or their websites, without obtaining registration or permission.