I&B Ministry
Google and partners launch www.hindiweb.com, Javadekar hails initiative
NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar has said the widespread use of mobile phone and internet is proof of the adaptive style and skills of people to successfully ensure the perfect blending between technology use and the masses at large.
The Indian mindset with its ingrained adaptive skills ensured the prolific use of technology across different sectors, blending with the needs and requirements of people related to information use.
Javadekar said this while launching the Indian Language Internet Alliance (ILIA), an initiative by Google and other Internet industry partners here today.
The Minister said the rise of internet was not a threat to traditional media platforms as all sectors of media had been growing rapidly and simultaneously along with the Internet. Javadekar extended the support of the government to the Alliance with key policy initiatives that would enable faster growth of Internet and mobile based services.
As the first initiative of the Alliance, the Minister launched the website www.hindiweb.com, which would be a platform for Hindi speaking internet users to discover Hindi content across websites, apps, videos and blogs. The new initiative would expedite good quality online-content generation in Indian languages and that it would provide an inclusive platform for non-English speaking users to break language-barriers and access online information easily, Javadekar added.
Indian Language Internet Alliance (ILIA), a consortium of 18 Internet industry partners along with Google, was committed to promote the growth of Indic-language content online which would enable 300 million Indian language speakers to become highly engaged in internet by 2017.
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.
