I&B Ministry
I&B ministry backs 20 per cent FDI in FM radio
NEW DELHI: Aimed at liberalising the regime, information and broadcasting ministry has cleared 20 per cent FDI for the private FM radio sector, but stuck to the ban on news and current affairs programmes.
“We have formalised the policy package for the private FM radio and sent it to various ministries for taking their views, before taking it to the Cabinet,” information and broadcasting minister S Jaipal Reddy was quoted by Press Trust of India as saying on the sidelines of the of a conference by industry chamber ASSOCHAM.
The minister said the ministry has decided to limit the FDI level at the existing FII cap. “We hope to go to the Cabinet on the matter soon,” he added.
However, he said the government was not open to the idea of allowing news and current affairs on private FM radio. “There are certain reservations, PTI quoted him as saying.
Broadcast and cable regulator, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) had set the ball rolling for the second phase of privatisation of FM radio last year by saying that there should be migration to revenue share of four per cent annually and that up to 26 per cent foreign investment could be allowed, subject to government review of the existing policy that bars any foreign investment in this sector.
On the issue of allowing news and current affairs (N&CA) programming on private FM radio stations, the regulator had recommended that the existing restriction be reviewed by government and lifted after incorporating adequate safeguards.
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.
