| Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
| Imperial Legislative Council | |
| |
| Enacted by | Imperial Legislative Council |
| Enacted | 22 July 1885 |
| Effective | 1 October 1885 |
| Amended by | |
| The Repealing Act, 1938 The Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003 | |
| Repealed by | |
| Telecommunications Act, 2023 | |
| Status: Repealed | |
The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 was the enabling legislation in India which governed the use of wired and wireless telegraphy, telephones, teletype, radio communications and digital data communications. It gives the Government of India exclusive jurisdiction and privileges for establishing, maintaining, operating, licensing and oversight of all forms of wired and wireless communications within Indian territory. It also authorizes government law enforcement agencies to monitor/intercept communications and tap phone lines under conditions defined within the Indian Constitution. The act came into force on 1 October 1885. Since that time, numerous amendments have been passed to update the act to respond to changes in technology.[1]
The legislation was repealed after the passage of the Telecommunications Bill 2023.[2]
- ^ "Indian Telegraph Act, 1885" (PDF). Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communication, Government of India. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
- ^ "Lok Sabha approves Telecom Bill 2023. Key things to know". The Economic Times. 21 December 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 21 December 2023.