I&B Ministry
MIB clears TV channel applications; Rathore calls for stakeholder meets
NEW DELHI: Within days of Rajyavardhan Rathore given independent charge of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) by the PM Modi-led government after removal of his senior Smriti Irani, the organisation has been galvanised into action. What’s more, important issues are being discussed, including clearances of three new TV channel applications and meetings being called with broadcast industry stakeholders to debate matters like use of foreign satellites versus Indian ones.
The three TV channels that have been reportedly given initial government go-ahead — further processes like bank guarantees, etc need to be completed — include Aastha Kannad, Aastha Tamil and Aastha Telugu. All these channels are Indian language off-shoots of the religious product Aastha network that at present broadcasts in Hindi.
Though critics may say the government has given the nod to three TV channels in South Indian languages belonging to Vedic Broadcasting Ltd (VBL), which is controlled by Yoga guru`Patanjali’ Ramdev’s close associate Acharya Balkrishna and considered close to the present BJP-led government in New Delhi, independent observers feel at least MIB has started taking a stand on applications, a process that was halted for the last nine months or so for various reasons.
Media industry sources indicated that over 100 applications for TV channels are pending at MIB. And, such applications include ones from big and small broadcast companies.
VBL is controlled by majority shareholder Balkrishna, who, along with Ramdev, bought it in 2011 from the people who had started a religious TV channel few years back airing yoga shows, religious sermons and some cultural programmes.
When VBL is searched on Google, one is taken to www.acharyabalkrishna.com where it is indirectly stated that Balkrishna is the managing director. It is further stated: “Vedic Broadcasting Limited is also part of his vision. It [’s a] pioneer & leading socio-cultural network in India. Astha & Astha Bhajan Channel is propagating Indian culture and heritage, Health, Ayurveda, Education, Yoga, Values and Morals, Devotional songs, Spiritual meetings, talks, etc. The channels are available globally covering the continents of Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and North America (USA & Canada), thus, enabling global organisations an opportunity to reach followers and other viewers worldwide.”
Meanwhile, both government and industry sources indicated that MIB, under Rathore, is attempting to be a breath of fresh air, if not completely turn over decisions taken earlier under Irani. One such step in that direction was to start convening meetings with TV channels and their holding companies in an attempt to try to address some of the concerns.
In one such meeting held this week, the representatives from the broadcasting company owning and operating over 30 TV channels in India were asked about their concerns. Also present were government officials from Department of Space and Indian space agency ISRO.
When the issue of migration to an Indian satellite from foreign ones was brought up by the TV channel reps in the meeting, it was conveyed to them politely that it would be in the national interest to do so, though those having existing contracts could be allowed, in all probability, to go through with contractual obligations.
One of the concerns relating to leasing space on foreign satellites is that ISRO, according to industry sources, was unwilling to come forth with data on disaster and backup management in case an Indian satellite, through which a TV channel is beaming, for example, sputtered or developed some snag.
The sources said that more such meetings are in the pipeline with other broadcasting companies.
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: 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.
