Reimagining Copyright Law in the Digital Age: Challenges, Reforms, and Educational Access in India

Digital transformation has fundamentally altered how content is created, distributed, and accessed, posing significant challenges to India's traditional copyright framework. This paper critically examines the evolving landscape of copyright law in India, with a specific focus on academic use, fair dealing provisions, and the role of emerging technologies like AI and blockchain. Through a doctrinal and comparative analysis, it highlights the inadequacies of existing legal provisions in accommodating the realities of digital content, especially in educational contexts. The research draws upon landmark judgments, legislative developments, and international obligations to evaluate the effectiveness of current legal mechanisms. It advocates for a more flexible, equitable, and technologically adaptive copyright regime that balances the rights of creators with the public’s right to access knowledge. The study concludes with policy recommendations to enhance fair use, promote open educational resources, and integrate digital rights management in a manner that fosters innovation without compromising legal safeguards.