Digital media account for 97% of violations in ASCI’s Half-Yearly Complaints Report (2025-26)
Illegal betting (4,575 ads and 3 others reported as surrogates), personal care (367), healthcare (332), food and beverage (211), and education (71) emerged as the top five violative sectors. Together, they accounted for nearly 90% of cases processed.
Highlights from the report
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Offshore/Illegal betting remains India’s most violative category
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Of the 4,575 ads flagged, 99% were identified
through ASCI’s proactive surveillance. These were shared with the Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting and the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre for
takedown.
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These ads, often disguised as gaming promotions
or influencer collaborations, continue to
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Digital media dominates
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97% of the total violations originated on
digital platforms, led by Meta (78.9%), websites (13.7%), Google (4.6%) and
property portals (3%).
o
Traditional media, such as TV and print,
accounted for less than 3% of cases.
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The findings reinforce ASCI’s continued focus on
digital transparency and accountability.
●
Influencers under sharper scrutiny
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ASCI investigated 1,173 influencer
advertisements, with98% requiring modification.
o
Nearly 59% promoted products that are
disallowed by law.
o
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On the positive side, voluntary compliance among
influencers hit 90%. This shows that, when violations are spotted, influencers
are willing to correct them. However, many still count on their violations not
being spotted at all. The violations mainly included failing to disclose paid
collaborations
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Rise in uncontested cases drives effectiveresolution, voluntary
compliance
o
62% of ads in this half-yearly period found to
be violative were withdrawn or modified without contest after ASCI’s intimation
vs 59% in 2024-25 (overall FY)
o
Overall voluntary compliance rates rose to 88%
in this half-yearly period vs 83% in 2024-25 (overall FY).
o
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Sectoral trends show persistent challenges
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Personal Care:Of the 367 ads under scrutiny, 64% of ad decisions were uncontested;
skincare led the category’s violations
o
Healthcare: Of the 332 ads under scrutiny, 82% of cases scrutinised violated the
Drugs and Magic Remedies Act (1954).
o
Food and Beverage: Of the 211 ads under scrutiny, 61% of violations involved misleading
health or nutrition claims.
o Education: Of the 71 ads under scrutiny, 45% percent of ads found to be violative were withdrawn voluntarily after ASCI’s intervention.
ASCI’s enhanced monitoring systems, as well as working with digital platforms and regulators, have significantly bolstered early detection and reporting of violations. The rise in consumer complaints from 306 in 2024 to 405 in 2025 in the same half-yearly period also points to public awareness of responsible advertising and greater trust in self-regulation.
Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary General, ASCI, said: “The widespread exposure to betting ads despite the ban, as
well as the disappointing standards set by top influencers, are some challenges
that have come to the fore in our recent work. Consumer trust can be fragile in
the digital age, and such practices create problems for the industry at large.
ASCI is however, pleased to note a strong increase in uncontested cases, as
well as in rates of voluntary compliance, underscoring its growing role as the
first line of defence. For repeat and wilful violators, stringent action by
regulators would set a strong deterrent and help protect consumer interests. We
continue sharing information and data with the statutory regulators for action
within the legal framework, and collaborate and cooperate with all stakeholders
to build a strong advertising regulatory framework for consumer protection.”
For advertisers, the findings are a reminder to
strengthen compliance and continue with due diligence, especially in sensitive
and regulated sectors such as gaming, healthcare and personal care. For
consumers, the report reinforces ASCI’s
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