I&B Ministry
MIB zaps 144 TV channels for code breaches
Government tunes out 144 TV offenders with warnings, scrolls, and shutdowns from 2021-2025.
MUMBAI: Zapping the airwaves like a faulty remote, India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has dished out 144 enforcement slaps to private satellite TV channels for flouting the Programme and Advertising Codes under the 1995 Cable Television Networks Act proving that in the broadcast biz, breaking rules can lead to a swift channel change.
In a parliamentary ping-pong session, minister of state L Murugan spilled the beans to AAP MP Raghav Chadha, revealing how channels must toe the line or face the music: no attacking religions, stirring communal pots, or slinging slander at society’s moral fibre. It’s all enshrined in those codes, designed to keep the telly tame and tasteful.
But wait, there’s a plot twist, the government beefed up its watchdog role with the 2021 amendments on 17 June, rolling out a three-tier grievance gauntlet. First, broadcasters handle the heat themselves, if that fizzles, self-regulating bodies step in; and finally, the Centre swoops like a censor superhero for the knockout punch. No direct meddling in the early rounds, mind you just oversight when things get sticky.
The stats paint a pixelated picture of the crackdown, 43 actions in 2021, peaking at 52 in 2022, dipping to 37 in 2023, then a dramatic fade with just four in 2024 and eight in 2025. Breaking it down, that’s 35 gentle nudges via advisories, 50 stern warnings, 54 orders for those cringe-worthy apology scrolls crawling across screens, three outright off-air blackouts, one full permission yank, and even a lone disclaimer decree for good measure.
While 2022 stole the spotlight for most interventions, the recent years suggest a calmer channel lineup or perhaps broadcasters are finally getting the memo. The Ministry keeps firing off advisories like reminder texts, ensuring everyone plays nice, with heavier hammers reserved for the real rotters.
And for those wondering if local lingo channels get a free pass? Nope the rules blanket all, from national heavyweights to regional rabble-rousers. In this era of amended airwaves, it’s clear the government’s grievance grid is no mere static, it’s a tuned-in tool keeping the broadcast boat from rocking too wildly.
I&B Ministry
150 govt websites earn quality certification
From PMO to PSUs, India’s digital portals ace the GIGW standards test as of Jan 2026.
MUMBAI: Clicking all the right buttons, 150 government websites have proudly flaunted their Certified Quality Website (CQW) badges, earning top marks under the Guidelines for Indian Government Websites (GIGW) proof that not every online government page is a bureaucratic black hole.
In a crisp Rajya Sabha reply to MP Mallikarjun Kharge, minister of state for electronics and IT Jitin Prasada revealed that as of 20 January 2026, the Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate had issued exactly 150 valid CQW certifications. That’s a solid lineup, 116 snagged by Central Government portals, six by State Government sites, 14 by Public Sector Undertakings, plus a handful for statutory bodies (2), autonomous bodies (5), e-voting platforms (5), and even two Central Government mobile apps.
The breakdown underscores how the voluntary scheme valid for three years with mandatory re-certification – has spread its quality net wide. High-profile heavyweights like the prime minister’s office, president’s secretariat, CERT-In, UIDAI, CBSE, TRAI, Press Information Bureau, and various ministry hubs have all passed muster. Even critical digital infrastructure, including e-voting setups and financial gateways, made the cut.
Not everyone’s a winner, though, eight hopefuls were shown the digital door for failing to meet GIGW rules. Most current certificates rolled out under GIGW version 2.0, with fresher ones nodding to the upgraded 3.0 benchmarks, a sign the bar keeps rising. Fresh approvals stretch into January 2026, with validity ticking on through 2028 and 2029 for the newest batch.
The certifications date back as far as 2008, but the bulk of today’s valid ones hail from 2023–2026, reflecting a recent push for polished, user-friendly government web presence. Full details? They’re neatly listed on the STQC website for anyone keen to browse the certified club.
In an era where clicking “government site” often means bracing for glitches, these 150 standouts are quietly proving that when it comes to quality, some portals really do load with style.
