I&B Ministry
I&B Ministry urges Home Ministry to expedite security clearances for MSOs
NEW DELHI: Keeping in view the continuing delays in multi-system operators (MSOs) failing to get security clearance, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B) has send a fresh reminder to the Home Ministry in this regard.
Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, I&B secretary Bimal Julka said that a meeting has also been sought with concerned officials of the Home Ministry to sort out issues, if any.
He said that the process of digitisation will not be affected, but agreed that several proposals by private MSOs have remained pending for long periods either with the I&B or the Home Ministry.
The I&B Ministry holds open house meetings on a regular basis with MSO representatives so that any queries can be answered.
The Ministry had itself conceded that a proposal by Reliance Jio Media for registration as a multi-system operator under the digital addressable system was sent to the Home Ministry in February last year for security clearance and has still not been returned.
The representative of Reliance Jio, Abhishek Soni, was told that the Home Ministry would take some time to furnish comments/security clearance.
CAT Vision was told that a reminder was being sent to the Home Ministry in its case. Signum Digital Network was also given the same assurance.
Digirevo Networks received a similar response to its query at the open house meeting held early this month.
Other MSOs received similar replies in meetings held during February and March this year include Goldy Dishnet, Citv Television Network, Sri Udav Satvision, and General Entertainment.
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.
