MeitY amended the IT Rules so synthetically generated images and video need prominent labels. Big platforms must take user declarations and run technical checks before publishing. Takedown clocks shrink from a day to a couple of hours for serious notices. The Hindu explained the February 2026 turn. Deepfake panic meets compliance calendars. It matters because Indian platforms and creators now have a labeling duty with teeth, not a polite suggestion. Caveat: enforcement quality will decide whether labels become truth serum or wallpaper.