I&B Ministry
CBFC to take film certification process online to bring transparency
NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is planning to adopt an online system for the certification process of films in India.
Information and Broadcasting Ministry sources tell Indiantelevision.com that the CBFC is presently adopting a partial online certification process.
CBFC is implementing a Plan component under the 12th Plan Scheme with a view to upgrade and modernize its infrastructure as well as making certification process online. On completion of the scheme, the complete end-to-end process from application to issue of certificate will be online.
It may be recalled that earlier this year, CBFC chairman Pahlaj Nihalani had told Indiantelevision.com that one of the major tasks that he faced before him was to ensure speedy clearances of films submitted to the Board. “We will be looking at using more online methods to expedite this process with the least interference in the work of the film’s producer. The process will include introduction of an online ‘tatkal’ system to expedite the process of clearing films. The online system will be adapted to ensure that the board functions in a completely transparent manner and films can get certificates without much hassles,” he had then said.
Meanwhile, the Parliament was told in the recent session that the Government had no plans to promote establishment of Film Development Corporation in each State.
Ministry sources said that cinema was currently a subject under the State List. It may be recalled that the last National Democratic Alliance Government had made an attempt – an utter failure – to bring cinema into the Concurrent List.
At the same time, the Government said periodical interactions with representatives of film industry are held at different levels from time to time.
I&B Ministry
Prasar Bharati sets EPG standards for DD Free Dish platform
New specs define 7-day guide, LCN mapping, and device compatibility.
MUMBAI: Your TV guide just got a backstage pass structured, scheduled, and far more in sync. Prasar Bharati has released detailed technical specifications for Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) services on DD Free Dish, laying down a standardised framework for how channels and programme information are organised and delivered. At the core of the update is a defined EPG data structure, covering genre-based categorisation, scheduling formats, and Logical Channel Numbering (LCN). The aim is simple: make navigation less guesswork and more guided experience across the platform’s over 40 million households.
The specifications also introduce a seven-day programme guide window for each channel, alongside clear rules for channel grouping and LCN mapping effectively deciding not just what you watch, but how easily you find it.
On the technical front, the document outlines requirements for Program Specific Information (PSI) and Service Information (SI), including descriptor usage across tables such as PAT, BAT and NIT. It further details service lists and network linkage parameters, giving OEMs and developers a clearer blueprint for integration.
Importantly, the framework is designed to work seamlessly with television sets equipped with in-built satellite tuners, enabling users to access DD Free Dish directly without additional hardware, an incremental but meaningful step towards simplifying access.
The platform will continue to operate on GSAT-15 transponders, using MPEG-4 compression and DVB-S2 transmission standards, ensuring continuity even as the interface evolves.
While largely technical, the move signals a broader push towards standardisation and user-friendly discovery in India’s free-to-air ecosystem because sometimes, the real upgrade isn’t what’s on screen, but how easily you get there.
