The Indian government has authorized the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor to exercise powers related to telecom services during public safety events or national emergencies, according to an official notification. The President directed the Lieutenant Governor to exercise these powers under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

The notification, published in the gazette on May 7, 2026, states that the Lieutenant Governor can block the transmission, allow interception, order decryption of messages, and suspend telecom services in the event of any public emergency or in the interest of public safety.

The order was issued in pursuance of clause (1) of article 239 of the Constitution, which allows the President to direct the administrator of a Union territory to exercise certain powers.

The immediate outlook is that the Lieutenant Governor will now have increased control over telecom services in the Union Territory, allowing for swift action in case of public safety events or national emergencies. The government is expected to monitor the situation and provide further directions as necessary.