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Discover more about our history and key milestones
ASCI was formed in 1985 by professionals from the advertising and media industry to keep Indian ads decent,
fair and honest. Over the years, our work and role has evolved greatly.
2025
- ASCI has issued an advisory for LinkedIn influencers, mandating the disclosure of material connections. - January, 2025
- ASCI Academy, in collaboration with PSA Legal and Tsaaro Consulting, has released its white paper titled "NAVIGATING COOKIES: Recalibrating Your Cookie Strategy in Light of the DPDPA" – January 2025
- ASCI has released the Top Influencer Compliance Scorecard - February, 2025
- ASCI and the Online Gaming Industry Unite to Protect Consumers against Offshore Betting ads - February, 2025
- At the 2025 Global ICAS Awards, ASCI has been awarded two prestigious awards during the ICAS Global Dialogues Summit 2025. The accolades recognize ASCI Academy’s pioneering work in promoting responsible and progressive advertising through its consistent work on DEI and “The Conscious Patterns” report: A study of deceptive patterns in top Indian apps - March, 2025
- ASCI, in collaboration with the Unstereotype Alliance (convened by UN Women) and knowledge partners Religious Brands, today unveiled "Manifest: Masculinities Beyond the Mask," a report examining the evolving landscape of masculinities in society and media. - March, 2025
- ASCI Academy releases its report, ‘AdNext: The AI Edition,’ at its Global Adda event, during the ICAS Global Dialogues Summit in Mumbai. - March, 2025
2024
- ASCI and DoCA Host Consultation with Stakeholders on Surrogate Ads
- ASCI publishes Guidelines to Ensure Honest Environmental Claims in Advertisements
- ASCI signs MOU with Maha RERA to scan for misleading ads to enhance consumer protection in the real estate sector. February 2024
- ASCI and the Department of Consumer Affairs hosted consultation with industry stakeholders operating in categories whose advertising is restricted, discussing issues and possible routes of resolution on the topic of surrogate advertising. February 2024
- ASCI Academy launches its whitepaper, "Privacy and Progress Pillars of Digital Bharat" with Lexplosion. March 2024
- ASCI Academy released a report on “Conscious Patterns," a study of comprehensive deceptive patterns in top Indian apps and Parallel, along with Industry Partner Nasscom. August 2024
- ASCI joins the ICAS Global Think Tank to Advance Responsible Advertising - September, 2024
- ASCI to host Global Summit for Ad self-regulation in Mumbai in March 2025 - October, 2024
- ASCI Academy has launched Hindi versions of its two flagship e-learning courses: The ASCI Guide to Responsible Advertising and The Responsible Influencing Playbook. - December, 2024
2023
- ASCI and Futurebrands launch 'Wielding Influence, Nurturing Trust' study at its #GetItRight Brand Influencer Summit in February 2023
- ASCI releases its ‘Influencer Trust Report’ a consumer dipstick study that unveils reasons for consumer trust and distrust among influencer, February 2023
- ASCI releases ‘EdNext’” study that lays down progressive and responsible approach to advertising for the EdTech industry in January 2023
- ASCI publishes guidelines for advertisements for charitable causes
- ASCI and Khaitan & Co Release Whitepaper: Leveraging Generative AI: Opportunities, Risks and Best Practices
- ASCI unveils the ASCI Academy, a pioneering initiative poised to amplify the advertising industry's capacity to create more responsible and progressive advertising campaigns.
- ASCI and the Unstereotype Alliance Unveil Study on Diversity & Inclusion in Advertising, with research partner Kantar at the D&I Edge Summit
2022
- ASCI releases - Complaints report on ‘“What India Takes Offence to’ and ‘Influencer Advertising’ Reports in January 2022
- ASCI publishes guidelines for Advertising of Virtual Digital Assets (Cryptocurrency)
- ASCI Code updated for greater inclusivity
- ASCI publishes Guidelines for ‘Harmful Gender Stereotypes in Advertising ’released by Hon’ble Cabinet Minister for Women and Child Development (WCD), Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani in June 2022
2021
- ASCI releases ‘Gendernext’ Report in collaboration with Futurebrand In October 2021
- ASCI unveils its new Brand identity in August 2021
- ASCI publishes Guidelines for Influencers Advertising in Digital Media and ASCI.Social website in May 2021
- ASCI wins 2 ICAS Awards for ‘Best Awareness Raising Initiative’ and ‘Best Sectoral Initiative’ categories. In the ‘special category at ICAS’. ASCI received a special mention for its extensive digital suo-moto monitoring through the NAMS initiative in June 2021
- ASCI launched a consumer connect initiative through its #ChupNaBaitho digital campaign in January 2021
2020
- Suo motu ad monitoring expanded to 3,000 digital platforms
- ASCI publishes Advisory for COVID-19 advertising across industries in October 2020
- ASCI publishes Guidelines For Real-Money Gaming (RMG) Ads in November 2020
- ASCI released a report on ‘The Trust in Advertising” Report published in collaboration with Indian Society of Advertisers’ in September 2020
2019
- Delhi district court settled that ASCI has the power to regulate ads as per guidelines laid down. It re-affirmed the remit of ASCI over non-members
- Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority guidelines specify that ASCI code is the minimum standards to be adhered to in addition to IRDA’s advertising guidelines
- Guidelines for Usage of Awards and Rankings in Advertisements are laid down
2018
- Ministry of Information & Broadcasting issues advisory to all TV broadcasters to carry ASCI scroll encouraging viewers to raise complaint against objectionable ads
2017
- Guidelines for Celebrities are adopted
- ASCI is invited on the executive committee of International Council of Advertising Self-regulation
2016
- MoU with Ministry of AYUSH to co-regulate Misleading ads signed
2015
- WhatsApp number +917710012345 or registering complaints is launched
- MoU signed with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to address misleading F&B ads
- Guidelines for Disclaimers are laid down
2010 - 2014
- Guidelines for skin lightening/ fairness products are laid down
- Launch of ASCI Mobile App supporting Android and iOS devices
- Won European Advertising Standards Alliance Best Practice Gold Award
- Department of Consumer Affairs engages with ASCI to curb misleading ads
- e-Learning programme for advertising professionals, marketing students, etc is launched
- Suo motu (proactive) monitoring of ads through National Advertising Monitoring Services (NAMS) started
- Guidelines for Advertising of Educational Sector and Supers / disclaimers are laid down
2005 - 2009
- Category Specific Guidelines for Food & Beverages and automobiles started
- ASCI becomes Member of European Advertising Standards Alliance
- Government of India officially recognises ASCI as advertising self-regulator
2000 - 2004
- The Indian Broadcasting Foundation (IBF) Executive Committee fully supports the self-regulation movement and agree that in future, all TVC Ads that violate the ASCI Code, will not be run by IBF’s members
- Website is launched by Minister of I&B on 31st March 2001
- New Press Campaign inviting complaints from consumer is launched in July 2001
1995 - 1999
- New CCC Procedure for Processing Complaints is adopted on 1st December 2000
- The New Advertising Code is issued in April 1995
- The revised Code “applies to advertisements read or viewed in India by a significant number even if carried by media that are published or originate abroad”.
1990 - 1994
- The first full-time Secretary-General of the Council is appointed in December 1993 – Mr. Gualbert Pereira
- The International Chamber of Commerce found ASCI’s approach to achieving self-regulation in advertising, a workable model for the European Community
1985 - 1989
- The ASCI Code became part of the Advertising Code of Doordarshan and All India Radio
- Mr. Anil S Gore appointed as Honorary Secretary-General on 28 May 1986
- Number of members in the first year was 71
- ASCI was founded on 21st October 1985 by 43 members