I&B Ministry
I&B Ministry to create online mechanism for all applications for TV channels, teleports
NEW DELHI: The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has once again asked prospective broadcasters to deal directly with the Ministry with regards to permissions for television channels or teleports and not appoint any intermediaries or consultants.
In a public notice issued today by Joint Secretary (Broadcasting) Supriya Sahu, similar to the one issued late last year, the Ministry said anyone who wishes to apply for permission to start a television channel, teleport or various permissions under the Uplinking and Downlinking guidelines, can seek clarifications at the Open House held every month for the purpose and also get information on pending issues.
The Ministry will not entertain any intermediary, consultant, advisor, consultancy organisation or firm to liaise with the Ministry on behalf of applicants and permission holders for following up on their requests.
The Ministry follows an absolutely transparent and open process to grant various permissions to television channels, teleport operators, news agencies etc.
In addition, the Ministry has also put in place a specialised software, Satellite Television Channels Application Tracking System (STATS), for those who have already applied to the Ministry for various permissions. An lD and password have been given to all of them to track the status of their pending applications.
The Ministry is in the process of automating the entire Broadcasting Wing to ensure that an online mechanism is brought for various applications. Once in operation, this web enabled software will help applicants to apply online and also make payments of various fees etc., through the payment gateway.
All applicants and permission holders have therefore been advised not to approach anyone who claims to be an advisor, consultant or facilitator on behalf of applicants.
I&B Ministry
Press Sewa Portal digitises 1.5 lakh records, streamlines periodical registrations: MIB
Online system spans 780 districts; Rs 5.6 crore penalties, 88,315 titles cancelled
NEW DELHI: India’s print media registry has quietly moved from dusty files to digital dashboards. The government has digitised more than 1.5 lakh historical records of newspapers and periodicals and shifted registrations fully online through the Press Sewa Portal.
Introduced under the Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRP) Act, 2023, the portal now handles all applications for registering periodicals, replacing the earlier paper-heavy system created under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, which has since been repealed.
The digital shift brings a wide range of services onto a single platform. Publishers can now register new periodicals, revise registrations, transfer ownership, file annual statements, pay penalties online and apply for circulation verification without navigating government offices.
As part of the rollout, specified authorities in 780 districts across India have been onboarded onto the platform. Since 1 March 2024, the portal has processed 11,081 applications and issued certificates across different categories.
The transition has also brought stronger compliance. According to government data, Rs 5.63 crore in penalties has been collected through the portal so far. States such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh account for some of the largest penalty collections.
At the same time, the authorities have carried out a major clean-up of inactive or non-compliant publications. A total of 88,315 periodicals have been cancelled nationwide, with Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi among the states reporting the highest number of cancellations.
The government says the system will continue to evolve based on feedback from users. The Press Registrar General of India (PRGI) regularly reviews suggestions to improve services and make compliance easier for publishers.
The full list of registered newspapers and periodicals is available on the PRGI website under the Registered Titles section.
The information was shared in a written reply in the Lok Sabha by minister of state for information and broadcasting and parliamentary affairs L Murugan, responding to a question from Damodar Agrawal.
