Key takeaways
- Under the IT Rules, 2021, OTT platforms self-classify content as U, U/A 7+, U/A 13+, U/A 16+ or A.
- Parental locks are required for U/A 13+ and above; A-rated content needs age verification.
- Netflix uses a 4-digit profile PIN; Prime Video uses a 5-digit PIN with device-wise restrictions.
- On 25 July 2025, the I&B Ministry blocked 25 OTT apps including ULLU and ALTT for obscene content.
- CBFC does not certify web series; platforms rate their own shows.
OTT age ratings in India come from the IT Rules, 2021. Streaming platforms must self-classify every show and film into five categories: U, U/A 7+, U/A 13+, U/A 16+ and A. They must display the rating before playback, offer parental locks for U/A 13+ and above, and verify age for A-rated content.
This explainer covers what each label means, what platforms are legally required to do, how to set a PIN on Netflix, Prime Video and JioHotstar, and why the government blocked 25 smaller OTT apps in July 2025. All details were checked in October 2026.
Who decides the age rating of a web series in India?
The platform does. Unlike films released in cinemas, which need a certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), streaming shows are not pre-certified by any government body. Instead, the publisher rates its own content under a Code of Ethics.
That Code of Ethics is part of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, announced by the government on 25 February 2021. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) oversees the part that covers OTT platforms and digital news.
The five OTT age categories explained
The rules set out five age-based categories. The table below sums up what each one means for viewers.
| Rating | What it means | Parental lock required? |
|---|---|---|
| U | Universal. Suitable for all ages. | No |
| U/A 7+ | Suitable for viewers aged 7 and above. Younger children can watch with parental guidance. | No |
| U/A 13+ | Suitable for viewers aged 13 and above. Younger children should watch with parental guidance. | Yes |
| U/A 16+ | Suitable for viewers aged 16 and above. Younger viewers should watch with parental guidance. | Yes |
| A | Adults only (18 and above). | Yes, plus age verification |
The rating must appear at the start of each programme, along with a content descriptor and any viewer advisory. The descriptor tells you why a show got its rating, for example violence, strong language, drug use or sexual content.
Platforms label these slightly differently. Netflix India uses the same terms, such as “A” for Sacred Games and “U/A 16+” for Black Warrant. Prime Video shows A-rated titles with an “18+” label, as on Paatal Lok.
What OTT platforms must do under the IT Rules, 2021
According to the government’s February 2021 release, OTT publishers have four main duties linked to age ratings:
- Self-classify every programme into one of the five categories.
- Show the rating and descriptor before the viewer starts watching.
- Offer parental locks for content rated U/A 13+ or higher.
- Use reliable age verification for content rated A.
The three-level complaint system
If you think a show is wrongly rated or breaks the Code of Ethics, the rules set up three levels:
- Level 1, the platform: each publisher must appoint a Grievance Redressal Officer based in India, who must decide a complaint within 15 days.
- Level 2, a self-regulatory body: if the complaint is not resolved, it goes to an industry body headed by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge or an independent eminent person. These bodies must register with MIB.
- Level 3, government oversight: MIB runs an Inter-Departmental Committee that hears grievances at the final stage.
The quickest way to start is the grievance or “contact us” section in the platform’s app or website, which must name the officer.
How to set a parental lock on Netflix
Netflix lets you set a maturity rating limit for each profile and lock any profile with a 4-digit PIN. These steps are from the Netflix Help Centre, checked in October 2026.
Set a maturity rating for a profile
- Open the Netflix app on your phone and tap My Netflix at the bottom right.
- Tap your profile name at the top, then Manage Profiles, and choose the profile.
- Tap Viewing Restrictions, then Maturity Rating.
- Enter your account password and pick the highest rating the profile can watch.
On a browser, go to your Account page, select Profiles, then Adjust parental controls. You can verify with a code sent to your email or phone instead of a password. To change a Kids profile, Netflix says you must use a browser.
Lock your profile with a PIN
- In the app, go to My Netflix, tap your profile name, then Manage Profiles.
- Choose your profile and tap Profile Lock.
- Tap Create a Profile Lock, enter your account password, and set a 4-digit PIN.
Lock your own adult profile, not only the child’s. Otherwise anyone can simply switch to your profile. Netflix also has a setting that requires the PIN to create new profiles, which stops a child from making an unrestricted one.
Block a single show
Under Viewing Restrictions, tap Block Titles, enter your password and type the name of the show. This is useful when one show slips through a rating you are otherwise happy with.
How to set a parental lock on Prime Video
Prime Video uses a 5-digit Prime Video PIN and age-based viewing restrictions that you apply device by device.
- Sign in to Prime Video on a browser and open Account & Settings.
- Go to the Parental Controls (or Restrictions) section and create a Prime Video PIN.
- Under Viewing Restrictions, choose the highest age rating that can play without the PIN, such as 13+ or 16+.
- Select the devices the restriction should apply to, such as the living room TV and your child’s phone.
- Save. Titles above the limit will now ask for the PIN on those devices.
Two things to note. Restrictions apply to the devices you tick, not to one profile, and some devices such as Fire TV sticks need parental controls set on the device itself. Kids profiles on Prime Video show only age-appropriate titles by default, but check the limit yourself.
How to set a parental lock on JioHotstar
JioHotstar offers a Kids profile and a parental lock that asks for a PIN before mature-rated titles play. Menu names change between app updates, so the safest route is:
- Open the JioHotstar app and tap your profile icon.
- Create a separate Kids profile for your child.
- Look for the parental lock or PIN option in profile settings and set a PIN.
- If you cannot find it, use Help & Support in the app for the current steps.
On any platform, a PIN only works if the child does not know it. Avoid birth dates or 1234.
Why the government banned 25 OTT apps in 2025
On 25 July 2025, MIB issued notices to intermediaries to disable public access to 25 OTT apps and websites for publishing content officials described as obscene, vulgar and in some cases pornographic, PTI reported. The list included ULLU, ALTT, Big Shots, Desiflix, Boomex, Navarasa Lite, Gulab App, Kangan App, Bull App, Jalva App, ShowHit, Wow Entertainment, Look Entertainment, Hitprime, Feneo, ShowX, Sol Talkies, Adda TV, HotX VIP, Hulchul App, MoodX, NeonX VIP, Fugi, Mojflix and Triflicks.
The action was taken under the IT Act, 2000 and the IT Rules, 2021, after consulting other ministries and child rights experts. Reports said the platforms had been warned in September 2024, and some had already been blocked once. In March 2024, MIB had blocked 18 OTT platforms for similar reasons, and some later returned on new domains.
The key difference: the 2025 ban targeted small apps whose content officials said had no storyline. Mainstream platforms such as Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar, SonyLIV and ZEE5 were not part of it. Their A-rated shows remain legal for adults, with locks and age checks.
Is the system working?
The rules rely heavily on self-regulation. Platforms rate their own shows, and many families never set a PIN, so an A label alone does not stop a child on a shared account. The practical fix is simple: separate profiles, a PIN on the adult profile, and a rating limit on the children’s profile.
Online content also draws legal complaints in other ways, as seen when Yograj Singh faced legal trouble over a web series dialogue. For safer family viewing ideas, see our list of web series that ruled OTT in 2025 and check each show’s rating first.
Frequently asked questions
What does U/A 16+ mean on Netflix and other OTT apps?
It means the show is suitable for viewers aged 16 and above. Younger viewers should watch only with parental guidance, and platforms must offer a parental lock for it.
Is A rating the same as 18+ on OTT?
Yes. A means adults only, which is 18 and above. Prime Video displays A-rated titles with an 18+ label.
Does CBFC certify web series in India?
No. CBFC certifies films for theatrical release. Web series on OTT platforms are self-classified by the platform under the IT Rules, 2021.
Which OTT apps were banned in India in 2025?
MIB blocked 25 apps on 25 July 2025, including ULLU, ALTT, Big Shots, Desiflix, MoodX, Hulchul App and Mojflix, for obscene and vulgar content.
How do I put a PIN on my Netflix profile?
Go to My Netflix, tap your profile name, then Manage Profiles. Choose the profile, tap Profile Lock, enter your password and set a 4-digit PIN.
Sources: PIB: IT Rules, 2021 release, Netflix Help Centre: profile PIN, The Week (PTI): 25 OTT apps blocked, All India Radio: 18 OTT platforms blocked.
