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Section69A
The Information Technology Act, 2000

Power to issue directions for blocking for public access of any information through any computer resource

In force From 17 Oct 2000 Act 21 of 2000 As on 14 Oct 2026

Act 21 of 2000 Ministry Electronics and Information Technology Enacted 09 Jun 2000 In force 17 Oct 2000 Instruments 5

Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 deals with power to issue directions for blocking for public access of any information through any computer resource. Where the Central Government or any of its officers specially authorised by it in this behalf is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do, in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public orde The Act came into force on 17 Oct 2000.

(1) Where the Central Government or any of its officers specially authorised by it in this behalf is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do, in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above, it may subject to the provisions of sub-section (2), for reasons to be recorded in writing, by order, direct any agency of the Government or intermediary to block for access by the public or cause to be blocked for access by the public any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource.

(2) The procedure and safeguards subject to which such blocking for access by the public may be carried out, shall be such as may be prescribed.

(3) The intermediary who fails to comply with the direction issued under sub-section (1) shall be punished with an imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and also be liable to fine.

Section 69A, The Information Technology Act, 2000 (Act 21 of 2000).

Related judgements & precedents

These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.

  1. Aneesh K. Thankachan v. Union of India

    High Court 03 Dec 2024 Binding (High Court) Reportable WP(C) No. 36896 of 2022

    Court's Decision & Legal Precedent

    Final Order order-6.pdf 2024-12-03 DATE VERIFIED (body dated 3 Dec 2024 / T.R. Ravi J.). WP(C) 36896/2022. Isolates IT 69A: blocking is available only on the narrowly drawn Article 19(2) grounds in the section (sovereignty and integrity of India, defence, security of the State, friendly relations, public order, or preventing incitement of a cognizable offence relating thereto); alleged community defamation on YouTube is not 69A. Applying Shreya Singhal, an intermediary cannot be directed to take down without a court order. Do not pad it-act 79 (already filled by Shreya Singhal). Wave23 leftover X Corp KAHC010303302022 remains WRONG DOCUMENT.

    On this section: IT 69A blocking is confined to Article 19(2) grounds; alleged defamation is not a 69A subject, and intermediaries need a court order to take down (Aneesh K. Thankachan).

    Read the full order on eCourts India

The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.

Made under this section, and citing it

5 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.

All subordinate legislation

Questions about Section 69A

What have the courts held on Section 69A of the Information Technology Act?

Aneesh K. Thankachan v. Union of India (03 Dec 2024) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: IT 69A blocking is confined to Article 19(2) grounds; alleged defamation is not a 69A subject, and intermediaries need a court order to take down (Aneesh K. Thankachan).

How do I find court cases under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act?

In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: IT Act 69A, section 69A IT Act, section 69A of the Information Technology Act. People searching for it also type it act 69a kisse sambandhit hai. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Aneesh K. Thankachan v. Union of India (03 Dec 2024).

What should I read with Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, and has it changed?

5 instruments name it without being made under it, most recently Designated link officer under section 69A of the IT Act (2023), then Notification for Designated Officer under section 69A and Rule 3 of Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking for Access of Information by Public Rules, 2009 (2010).

When did Section 69A of the Information Technology Act come into force?

Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, commonly called blocking of websites, and cited as IT Act 69A, came into force on 17 Oct 2000, having been enacted on 09 Jun 2000. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

Other sections of this Act

Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 14 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.