I&B Ministry
Around Rs 35 crore spent by Prasar Bharati in left extremist affected areas
NEW DELHI: Both All India Radio and Doordarshan have spent around Rs 35 crore in setting up transmitters and programming in left wing extremist (LWE) areas.
Programmes are aired on the theme of dissuading the youth from getting involved in anti-social activities and persuading those, who have misguidedly taken to arms, to come back and join the mainstream, Parliament was told recently.
These are telecasting Developmental programmes on Education, Youth Welfare, Women Empowerment, welfare schemes for the area, Forest Act and Rights of Tribals including coverage of local festivals and tribal folk music in their local languages and dialects.
The thrust is largely on the developmental schemes/activities of the Government of India and the State Governments. These programmes also dwell on the need of maintaining law and order in the concerned areas so that people’s progress could be achieved faster.
As far as AIR is concerned, six new FM High Power Transmitters have been planned in LWE affected areas at a total cost of Rs.28.06 Crores at Kakinada East Godavari/Andhra Pradesh; Muzaffarpur in Bihar; Amibikapur Sarguja in Chhattisgarh; Dhanbad in Jharkhand; Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi (Odisha), and Suryapet in Nalgonda (Telangana).
In addition to this, existing old/outlived transmitters at AIR stations functional in LWE affected areas are also planned for replacement by High Power Transmitters.
As far as Doordarshan is concerned, a part of digitalization scheme approved under the 12th Plan Projects of setting up digital HPTs at a cost of Rs. 6.62 crore each have been implemented at Muzaffarpur (Bihar); Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh); and Jamshedpur (Jharkhand).
It was also emphasized by the sources that all the areas uncovered by terrestrial transmitters are covered with multichannel TV coverage through Doordarshan’s free to air DTH service Freedish.
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.
