The Indian government has officially removed the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) from oversight of television ratings, as stated in the newly released 2026 policy. This policy grants complete control to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), raising concerns about the lack of independent regulation in a system that influences ₹36,200 crore (approximately $4.4 billion USD) in advertising spending. Previously, Trai and MIB shared oversight, but Trai will continue to regulate other aspects of broadcasting, such as channel pricing and service quality. Critics, including Rahul Mehta, partner at King Stubb & Kasiva, argue that this shift could undermine transparency and industry trust, as independent supervision is crucial for maintaining credibility in the ratings ecosystem. The policy mandates that rating agencies increase their sample size to 80,000 meters within 18 months, with a goal of reaching 120,000 meters, but experts like Pankaj Krishna emphasize that even this increase may not adequately represent India's diverse viewing habits. The industry is divided on the new policy, with some broadcasters welcoming the streamlined regulatory environment while others express concerns about governance and the potential for compromised data integrity.