#FactCheck: Viral letter allegedly issued by PMO on reservation is fake, AI-generated document
Research Wing
Innovation and Research
PUBLISHED ON
Aug 5, 2026
10
Executive Summary
A purported letter issued in the name of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is being widely shared on social media. The letter claims that the government has not made any changes to the reservation system regarding the “Remove Reservation Movement” and appeals to people not to pay attention to rumours. The viral letter is dated July 27, 2026, and also carries what appear to be Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s signatures in both Hindi and English.
CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the viral claim to be false. The research revealed that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has neither issued any official statement regarding reservation nor released any such letter. No credible media reports related to the alleged letter were found. The research further revealed that the purported reservation-related letter circulating on social media was a fake document created with the help of AI.
Claim:
A Facebook user shared the alleged letter issued in the name of the Prime Minister’s Office on July 30, 2026, claiming that the government has not made any changes to the reservation system in connection with the “Remove Reservation Movement” and appealed to citizens not to believe rumours. The viral letter bears the date July 27, 2026, and displays signatures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in both Hindi and English. The archived link and screenshot of the post are provided below:
To verify the authenticity of the viral claim, we conducted a Google search using relevant keywords. However, no credible media reports related to the alleged letter were found. During the next stage of the research, we scanned the official X account (formerly Twitter) of PMO India. We did not find any such letter posted on July 27 or around that date. Continuing the research, we checked the official website of PMO India. No such letter was found in the news updates section or anywhere else on the website that could confirm the viral claim.
Further, we reviewed the press releases issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on July 27 available on the official website of the Press Information Bureau (PIB). We found no press release or official communication related to reservation or matching the viral letter.
https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/
As part of the research, we scanned the viral letter using the AI detection tool Image Detector. The results indicated that the document was 93 percent likely to be AI-generated.
We also analysed the viral letter using another AI detection tool, My Detector. The results showed a 98 percent probability that the letter was created using AI.
Conclusion:
Our research found no official evidence confirming that the Prime Minister’s Office issued the viral letter. The purported PMO letter regarding reservation was found to be fake and AI-generated.
A video featuring the newly appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Dhiraj Seth, is going viral on social media. The video claims that he made controversial remarks regarding Operation Sindoor and alleged that the previous military leadership hid the bodies of Indian soldiers martyred during the operation. It further claims that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were also kept unaware of the matter. CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be misleading. The research revealed that the viral video was digitally manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI), and the voice heard in the video is not authentic.
Claim
A viral video shared on social media platform X claims that newly appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth said that the bodies of Indian soldiers martyred during Operation Sindoor were hidden and that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were not informed about it. https://archive.ph/oaOgB , https://x.com/InsiderWB/status/2072434480543899826
Fact Check
To verify the viral claim, we searched the internet using relevant keywords including “General Dhiraj Seth statement on Operation Sindoor”, “Operation Sindoor martyrs”, and “dead bodies hidden.” However, we did not find any credible media report stating that Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth made the remarks attributed to him in the viral video. We also checked the official social media handles of the Indian Army, but found no official statement or information supporting the viral claim. During the research, several keyframes from the viral video were extracted and analysed through reverse image search. The search led us to an ANI report published on July 1, 2026, whose watermark is also visible in the viral video. The original footage shows General Dhiraj Seth addressing the public after assuming charge as the Chief of Army Staff. We carefully reviewed General Dhiraj Seth’s entire address but found no mention of hiding the bodies of martyred soldiers or any statement related to the viral claim. The same address was also shared on the official platform of the Indian Army. The video review confirmed that it does not contain any such remarks.
During the analysis, it was also observed that the name tag on General Dhiraj Seth’s uniform appears distorted in several frames. Such inconsistencies are commonly seen in AI-generated or digitally manipulated videos. To verify the authenticity of the video, we analysed it using multiple AI detection tools. The results from all the tools were consistent. Hive Moderation’s analysis indicated a high probability that the viral media contains AI-generated or deepfake content.
Undetectable AI’s analysis also concluded that the voice heard in the viral video was likely generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral video is not authentic. There is no evidence that Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth ever accused the previous military leadership of concealing the bodies of soldiers martyred during Operation Sindoor. The video has been digitally manipulated, and the claim being circulated on social media is misleading.
Online Gaming has gained popularity over the past few years, attracting young players worldwide and global concerns. In response to the growing fame of this industry, the Indian government has recently announced introducing a set of regulations to address various concerns and ensure a safer and more regulated online gaming environment. In this blog post, we will explore the critical aspects of these regulations and their impact on the gaming industry.
Why are Regulations needed?
Recently some games faced a ban in India – games that involve betting, games that can be harmful to the user, and games that involve a factor of addiction. Furthermore, with rising popularity, With the exponential rise of online gaming platforms in India, extensive laws to safeguard players and ensure fair gameplay needs to be implemented. Players’ protection is one of the critical factors addressing the issues which involve online addiction, underage involvement, fraud, and data privacy has become critical for the well-being of Indian gamers.
Regulatory Ambiguity: The previous legislative structure, such as the outmoded Public Gambling Act of 1867, required an update to fit the digital gambling age fully.
Outline of the New Regulations
Implementing new regulations for online gaming in India represents the government’s commitment to addressing different issues and ensuring a safer and more regulated gaming sector. Let’s have a look at these rules in detail:
National-Level Standards: The Indian government is currently working on creating national-level standards to standardise online gaming practices across all states. These rules attempt to create a uniform platform for both operators and participants. The government has also made an announcement to set SRO within 90 days to regulate online gaming.
Licencing and Compliance: To legally operate in the Indian market, online gaming firms must secure licences. The operator’s financial soundness, security measures, and adherence to responsible gaming practices will be scrutinised throughout the licencing process. Operators will need to comply with the regulations in order to maintain operations.
Measures to Promote Ethical Gaming: The new regulations emphasise player protection and ethical gaming practices. This includes steps like age verification to prevent underage involvement, self-exclusion choices for gamers who want to limit their gaming activities, and adopting tools like session limits and reality checks to promote responsible gaming.
Data Privacy: Recognising the importance of data privacy, the laws are intended to contain protections for protecting user data. To safeguard sensitive player information from unauthorised access or exploitation, online gambling operators must comply with data protection regulations and deploy strong security measures.
Restrictions on Advertising and Marketing: The legislation may limit the advertising and marketing of online gaming platforms. The emphasis will be on eliminating aggressive marketing tactics that target vulnerable people, such as kids. Stricter standards for ad content and placement may be implemented.
Anti-Fraud and Anti-Money Laundering Measures: To combat criminal activity within the gaming ecosystem, the new legislation will almost certainly force online gambling companies to employ anti-fraud and anti-money laundering measures. Operators may need to set up mechanisms to detect fraud, report suspicious activity, and work with law enforcement.
Consumer Grievance Redressal: The legislation may emphasise the construction of efficient channels for resolving consumer complaints. Players should be able to report difficulties, seek resolution, and offer feedback on their play experiences through channels. The objective is to create a transparent and accountable conflict resolution mechanism.
Impact on Online Gaming Ecosystem
Adopting new laws for online gambling in India will likely have several consequences for the gaming industry. Let us look at some of these consequences:
Increased Player Trust: Implementing restrictions will increase player confidence in online gaming platforms. Establishing clear rules and procedures and steps to safeguard participants’ interests will develop a sense of trust and transparency. This can lead to increased participation and engagement in the gaming community.
Industry Consolidation: Stricter restrictions may result in industry consolidation. Compliance with the new legislation would need resources and investments, which might favour more prominent and more established gambling firms. Smaller and more non-compliant operators may find it challenging to fulfil regulatory standards, resulting in a more consolidated gaming sector.
Technological Progress: The requirement to comply with rules could lead to technological advancements in the online gambling sector. Operators may invest in modern identity verification systems, fraud detection methods, and responsible gaming solutions to satisfy their regulatory requirements. This can result in technological breakthroughs that improve gamers’ overall gaming experience.
Foreign Investment and Collaboration: Clear laws might entice overseas investors to enter the Indian gaming business. The regulated environment may appeal to international gambling enterprises looking to enter or extend their presence in India. Collaborations between Indian and foreign gaming firms may also expand, resulting in the sharing of experience, resources, and the production of high-quality gaming products.
Legal Clarity: Implementing particular laws would give online gambling operators and users clearer legal standards. This transparency can eliminate ambiguity and possible legal issues, allowing stakeholders to navigate the gaming ecosystem with better confidence and knowledge.
Contribution to the Indian Economy: A well-regulated online gaming business has the potential to contribute to the Indian economy. It has the potential to create jobs, attract investment, and produce tax money for the government. The economic effect of the gaming ecosystem is expected to increase as it grows under the new restrictions.
Challenges and Future Approach
One of the toughest challenges will be the efficient implementation and enforcement of the new regulations. Consistency in applying the legislation across multiple jurisdictions and guaranteeing compliance by all operators would necessitate comprehensive monitoring and regulatory measures. Developing suitable enforcement organisations and transparent standards for reporting and dealing with noncompliance will be critical. Besides this, online gaming is open to more than area-specific and many gaming platforms and operates internationally. Ensuring cross-border operations is a big challenge in addressing jurisdictional challenges will be complex. Collaborative efforts between nations can regulate cross-border online gaming. There may be increased collaboration between Indian and foreign gaming firms, resulting in the exchange of information, skills, and resources. This partnership can help the Indian gaming sector flourish while attracting foreign players and investments.
Esports Development: Esports have grown in popularity worldwide, and India is no exception. The Indian esports business has the potential to thrive with proper regulation and support, drawing both players and viewers. Esports-specific factors like player contracts, tournament integrity, and licencing requirements may be addressed in the regulations.
Conclusion
Despite obstacles, India’s new online gambling legislation can potentially establish a safer and more regulated gaming sector. the future depends on successful implementation, adjusting to a shifting landscape, finding the correct balance between regulation and innovation, and promoting ethical gaming practices. The Indian online gaming business can develop sustainably with the appropriate strategy, benefiting gamers and the broader economy.
A post is going viral across various social media platforms claiming that the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning over the issue of adulteration in food products. According to the claim, WHO has warned that milk adulteration is continuously increasing in India and if it continues, 87 percent of Indians will suffer from cancer by 2035. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found that the viral claim has been circulating on social media for several years. Earlier, the same claim was shared with the year changed to 2025, stating that 87 percent of Indians would suffer from cancer by that year. Now, the year has been changed from 2025 to 2035 and the claim is being circulated again. WHO has repeatedly denied this claim and termed it fake news.
Claim:
A Facebook user named ‘Vikalp Kuchamancity’ shared the viral post on August 3, 2026, with a caption claiming, “India produces 14 crore litres of milk, but consumption is 64 crore litres. Where does this extra milk come from? WHO has warned that if adulteration is not stopped, 87 percent of Indians may suffer from cancer by 2035.”
While examining the viral post, we noticed that the report displayed in the image carries the date September 19, 2035, even though the current year is 2026. This raised initial doubts about the authenticity of the claim.To investigate further, we conducted a Google search using relevant keywords. During the search, we found a post from the official Facebook page of WHO India, shared on August 3, 2026. The post denied the viral claim and stated that it is false that WHO issued any advisory to the Indian government warning that adulteration in milk and dairy products could lead to cancer and other diseases among 87 percent of Indians by 2035. WHO clarified that no such advisory has been issued.
According to data mentioned in a press release issued by the Government of India on November 26, 2025, the country’s total milk production was estimated at 247.87 million tonnes in 2024-25, compared to 239.30 million tonnes in 2023-24. The per capita availability of milk increased from 319 grams per day in 2014-15 to 485 grams per day in 2024-25. The top five milk-producing states are Uttar Pradesh (15.66%), Rajasthan (14.82%), Madhya Pradesh (9.12%), Gujarat (7.78%), and Maharashtra (6.71%). Together, these states contribute 54.09% of India’s total milk production.
The research confirmed that there is no evidence of any WHO warning stating that 87 percent of Indians could develop cancer by 2035 due to milk adulteration. WHO has clarified that it has not issued any such advisory. The viral claim is a recycled false claim that has been repeatedly circulated with changed dates.
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