India's Department of Consumer Affairs has admitted it has no guidelines to regulate online astrology platforms. The admission came during a Central Information Commission (CIC) hearing on August 3, 2026, responding to an RTI appeal alleging that one such portal was engaging in unfair trade practices and causing harm to both astrologers and consumers.
The CIC has directed the department to provide details of any investigations, disclose complaint figures, and transfer relevant portions of the RTI application to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
What did the RTI application allege?
The original RTI application painted a grim picture of working conditions for astrologers on the unnamed platform. It alleged that astrologers were hired in bulk but denied adequate work opportunities, forced to remain online 15 to 18 hours daily while earning less than ₹100 per day.
The application also claimed the platform imposed unfair penalties ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000, manipulated ratings and internal parameters, and was being misused as a dating app where women astrologers faced extreme mental harassment.
The applicant sought information on whether the platform had been investigated by any government body for fraud, cheating, or violation of business ethics. They also requested data on complaints received over the past three years, licences required to operate such platforms, and any existing regulatory guidelines.
Why does Consumer Affairs have no authority here?
During the hearing, the respondent clarified that the National Consumer Helpline functions only as a grievance resolution platform, not an investigative body. When Information Commissioner Khushwant Singh Sethi asked whether any guidelines existed for regulating e-commerce or online astrology platforms, the respondent stated plainly: no such guidelines exist with their department.
This creates an odd regulatory vacuum. Online astrology has grown into a significant industry in India, with platforms reportedly generating hundreds of crores in annual revenue and serving tens of millions of users. Yet the services fall outside any specific consumer protection framework.
What happens next?
Commissioner Sethi observed that the respondent had provided only partial information to the appellant. The CIC ordered the department to issue a revised reply containing factual information on any investigation conducted, transfer relevant queries to the CPIOs of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and MeitY, and provide the numerical value of complaints received against the platform.
The department must also transfer queries relating to licences, approvals, and regulatory guidelines to the public authorities likely to hold that information. This means the RTI will now fan out across multiple ministries, each potentially disclaiming jurisdiction.
Logicity's Take
The regulatory gap is telling. India has spent years building frameworks for fintech, e-commerce, and digital health, but astrology platforms, despite their scale and the sensitive nature of consultations, operate in a grey zone. If the allegations about labour practices prove widespread, the sector may see the same reactive regulation that hit edtech and quick commerce. Platform operators would be wise to document their contractor terms and dispute resolution processes now, before a ministry decides to impose them.
A sector that grew faster than regulators noticed
Online astrology boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some industry estimates suggesting 300% growth between 2020 and 2023. Platforms like Astrotalk, Astroyogi, and others scaled rapidly, adding video consultations, AI-driven horoscope features, and subscription tiers.
The business model typically takes a cut of each consultation, with astrologers paid per minute. The RTI allegations suggest this model can create perverse incentives: platforms may benefit from keeping astrologers online longer regardless of actual customer demand.
Whether Consumer Affairs, MeitY, or another body eventually claims oversight remains unclear. For now, the CIC's directive at least forces the question into official correspondence. That's more than existed last week.
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Source: Tech-Economic Times / ET
Manaal Khan
Tech & Innovation Writer
Produced with AI assistance and reviewed by the Logicity editorial team. Learn more in our Editorial Policy.
