I&B Ministry
EC finds Times Now & ABP News violating MCD poll rules, explanation sought
NEW DELHI: Two television news channels – ABP News and Times Now – have been asked by the Delhi State Election Commission to explain telecast of survey results ahead of the polls for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi held on Sunday.
Srivastava told mediapersons at a news conference that the Commission had demanded an explanation from the channels for the survey as it was a breach of the Model Code of Conduct. The results of the survey telecast on Saturday evening had led the Congress to raise the matter.
Even as the state election commissioner S.K. Srivastava said action had been taken suo moto, it became clear that the Congress party had complained as both channels had forecast a major win for the Bharatiya Janata Party. Ironically, the exit polls had also forecast a major BJP win with Aam Admi Party and Congress way behind in second and third place, respectively. Srivastava asked the two channels not to broadcast the survey news again.
The Delhi unit of the Congress had approached the Commission against Times Now yesterday, and sought action for violating the procedures and Standard Operating Procedure of the Election Commission. Under the Procedure, no survey can be announced or published 48 hours before the closing of the elections. This particularly applies for elections held in a single phase.
An application by Congress leaders Sharmistha Mukherjee and Aman Panwar said that this “grossly violates the concept of a free and fair elections which the foundation of our democracy.”
Last month, the Election Commission, noting violation by media houses of its fiat, had recommended them to keep away from publicising exit polls till a particular period during assembly elections in five states. EC asked the media not to air or publish such programmes in future so as to ensure fair polls.
In a letter to the News Broadcasters Association secretary-general and the Press Council of India secretary, the EC asked the print and electronic media to keep away from publicising exit polls or predictions about future poll triumphs.
The poll watchdog pointed to Section 126 A of the Representation of the People Act which states that “no person shall conduct any exit poll and publish or publicise by means of the print and electronic media or disseminate in any other manner, whatsoever, the result of any exit poll during such period as may be notified by the Election Commission…”
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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.
