I&B Ministry
MIB will give greater operational flexibility to Films Division: Arora
NEW DELHI: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) Secretary Sunil Arora has urged the Directors in the Films Division to prepare a concept note on steps to be taken to promote quality documentary and short film making.
In a review meeting of the Division ahead of the 14th Mumbai International Film Festival in the western metropolis, he also stressed on the need for the Films Division to improve its distribution and reach.
Recalling the rich heritage and experience in filmmaking of the Films Division, he said, “The creative output of the media unit should be reinvigorated and sustained.“
Calling for greater cooperation in creative pursuits, Arora said, “People should not work in silos, creative organisations grow only when ideas and information sharing is as free as possible.“
The 14th Mumbai International Film Festival is to be held in the city from 28 January to 3 February.
Arora also asked Director General Mukesh Sharma to explore possibilities of utilising the social media platform. Stating that content is king, Arora promised that the Ministry would look into issues of granting operational flexibility.
The Films Division was set up in 1948, primarily to produce documentaries and news magazines focusing on cultural and development issues. Besides producing films in house, the Films Division also commissions documentaries and short films from outside producers. Sixty-six such short films and documentaries are now in various stages of production.
The Films Division also organises the biennial Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentaries, Animation & Short Films.
The 2016 edition of MIFF will feature 30 films in the international competition section and 27 films in the national competition section, besides 32 films in the New Media Competition.
I&B Ministry
CBFC speeds up film certification; average approval time cut to 22 days
Over 71,900 films cleared in five years as digital system shortens approval timelines
MUMBAI:Â The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has significantly reduced the time taken to certify films, with the average approval timeline now down to 22 working days for feature films and just three days for short films.
Operating under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the statutory body certifies films for public exhibition in line with the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024. The rules prescribe a maximum certification period of 48 working days, though the adoption of the Online Certification System has sharply accelerated the process.
Over the past five years, from 2020-21 to 2024-25, the board certified a total of 71,963 films across formats. Of these, the majority fell under the U category with 41,817 titles, followed by UA with 28,268 films and A with 1,878 films. No films were certified under the S category during the period.
Film approvals have also steadily risen in recent years. The CBFC cleared 8,299 films in 2020-21, a figure that peaked at 18,070 in 2022-23 before settling at 15,444 films in 2024-25. During the same period, 11,064 films were certified with cuts or modifications.
Despite the high volume of certifications, outright refusals remain rare. Only three films were denied certification over the last five years, with one refusal recorded in 2022-23 and two in 2024-25.
The board may recommend cuts or modifications if a film violates statutory parameters relating to the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, defamation, contempt of court or incitement to an offence.
Filmmakers can challenge CBFC decisions in court. Data shows that such disputes remain limited but have seen some fluctuation. Between 2021 and 2025, a total of 21 certification decisions were challenged before High Courts, with the number rising to 10 cases in 2025.
Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, minister of state for information and broadcasting L. Murugan shared the data. The question was raised by Mallikarjun Kharge.
With faster timelines and a largely digital workflow, the certification process appears to be moving at a far brisker pace, signalling a shift towards quicker clearances for India’s growing film output.
