A Critical Analysis of Advertisement Regulation in India: Does Advertisement Regulation Do Enough for the Citizen?

Abstract

This paper critically examines the effectiveness of advertisement regulation in India in protecting citizens' interests. Through analysis of regulatory frameworks including the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), the Consumer Protection Act 2019, and sectoral regulations, this research evaluates whether current mechanisms adequately safeguard Indian consumers from deceptive, manipulative, and harmful advertising practices. The findings suggest that while India has established a comprehensive regulatory framework on paper, enforcement gaps, reliance on self-regulation, limited digital oversight, and inadequate protection for vulnerable populations undermine citizen protection. The paper argues that significant gaps remain in addressing the sophisticated targeting capabilities of digital advertising, protecting rural and low-literacy populations, regulating emerging advertising technologies, and ensuring meaningful accountability for violations.