I&B Ministry
Government and Meta launch ‘Scam se Bacho’ campaign to fight cyber scams
Mumbai: The ministry of information & broadcasting and Meta have joined forces to launch the ‘Scam se Bacho’ campaign, a national initiative focused on raising awareness about online scams and cyber frauds. The campaign, which was unveiled in New Delhi by information & broadcasting secretary, Sanjay Jaju aims to equip citizens with the skills needed to navigate the growing digital threats facing India.
In collaboration with key ministries including the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY), the ministry of home affairs (MHA), and the Indian cyber crime coordination centre (I4C), the campaign aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance cyber safety and digital literacy. As India witnesses extraordinary digital growth, with over 900 million internet users and leading the world in UPI transactions, there has been a parallel increase in cyber fraud, with 1.1 million cases reported in 2023.
Jaju emphasised the campaign’s significance, stating, “Scam se Bacho is more than just an awareness drive. This campaign can be a national movement that empowers Indian citizens with the tools and knowledge to protect themselves from these threats. By leveraging Meta’s global expertise, the campaign will ensure our digital progress is matched by robust digital security.”
The ‘Scam se Bacho’ initiative goes beyond traditional awareness efforts, focusing on fostering a culture of digital safety and vigilance. It aims to provide citizens with actionable insights to safeguard against online scams and equip them with the resources to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats. The campaign’s launch aligns with the prime minister’s call for stronger measures to combat cybersecurity challenges, advocating for an informed and resilient digital society.
The government and Meta’s joint efforts represent a comprehensive strategy to confront rising cyber risks, ensuring that as India continues to achieve significant milestones in its digital journey, the nation remains protected from threats.
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.
