Digital media continues to dominate advertising violations in India, according to the Advertising Standards Council of India’s (ASCI) Half-Yearly Complaints Report (2025–26). Between April and September 2025, ASCI reviewed 6,841 complaints and investigated 6,117 ads, with 98% requiring modification. Offshore and illegal betting, personal care, healthcare, food, and education sectors accounted for nearly 90% of violations.
Illegal betting led the list with 4,575 ads flagged, mostly discovered via ASCI’s proactive surveillance. Digital platforms accounted for 97% of violations, led by Meta (78.9%), websites (13.7%), Google (4.6%), and property portals (3%). Influencers remain major offenders, with 76% of India’s top digital stars breaching disclosure norms, though voluntary compliance rose to 90%.
Kolkata saw significant consumer engagement with digital platforms, prompting higher reporting of misleading ads in personal care, healthcare, and food categories. Local advertisers have increasingly collaborated with influencers, necessitating stricter monitoring to ensure compliance with ASCI guidelines. ASCI CEO Manisha Kapoor emphasized the growing importance of self-regulation and timely intervention, noting an average complaint resolution of 17 days. She urged advertisers to strengthen due diligence and encouraged consumers to report misleading ads to preserve trust in the digital ecosystem.
