I&B Ministry
I&B tightens up on condom ads on TV
MUMBAI: Condom ads are off prime time television. The latest advisory from the information and broadcasting (I&B) ministry has asked broadcasters to keep them out of the purview of children and only telecast them between 10 pm and 6 am.
The ministry said that it had taken note of objections regarding condom ads – which are “targeted at a particular age group” – being aired on some channels that are considered as ‘indecent especially for children.’ It used Rule 7 (7) and Rule 7 (8) of the Cable TV Networks Rules, 1994 to tell broadcasters to refrain from telecasting ads of condoms that could be considered inappropriate/indecent for viewing by children.
Channels may air the ads at night from 10 pm to 6 am—a time when Indian kids are possibly asleep—and abide by the rules.
Rule 7 (7) says that ‘no advertisement that endangers the safety of children or create in them any interest in unhealthy practices or shows them begging or in an undignified or indecent manner shall not be carried in the cable service.’ Rule 7 (8) says ‘indecent, vulgar, suggestive, repulsive or offensive themes or treatment shall be avoided in all advertisements.’
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) had approached the ministry for guidance after several people complained regarding the inappropriate nature of condom ads being telecast during primetime viewing on most television channels.
Recently, Mankind Pharma had been pushing the creative boundaries and had featured former porn-turned-Bollywood star Sunny Leone in a series of TVCs in which she cavorted around in a sensual and alluring way that could be argued as being in the zone of titillation. The company had earlier run into a spot when one of its ads had offended local groups in the western Indian state of Gujarat and it had to pull the hoardings off.
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.
