I&B Ministry
IIS overhaul & DD RNUs to focus on regional infra & local content
NEW DELHI: Information and broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu has urged the regional news framework to focus on local content, development and bottoms-up approach.
He said the emerging information flow should aim at transformative and emerging New India with effective communication outreach. The GST and Swachh Bharat campaign were classic examples of communicating reforms and seamlessly reaching out to the common man about the benefits of such flagship initiatives of the Government.
Inaugurating the Doordarshan Regional News Unit (RNU) workshop here, he said the strategy of Doordarshan should be founded on three pillars of authenticity, objectivity and timely dissemination of information. Objectivity in news and information dissemination was critical for people to understand and pursue issues.
The Regional News Units (RNUs) played a critical role in a linguistic and culturally diverse country like India, catering to local aspirations and addressing communication needs thereby bringing out a synergy in Government communication.
The Minister emphasised that the communication outposts to reform mindsets, enhance administrative performance and transform nation through the broadcast of success stories which had significant impact on the lives of the local people fell on the RNUs.
RNUs telecast a total of about 146 daily news bulletin in 23 languages for a cumulative duration of more than 30 hours daily.
He added that the RNUs need to work in collaboration with the state governments to bring about transformation in the emerging New India and perform proactively the responsibilities of a public broadcaster. He also called upon the participants to focus on innovative thinking, out of box ideas, new methods involving technological tools and a foresight to understand the changing media landscape.
Speaking on the media and entertainment Industry, Naidu said the industry is on the cusp of a strong phase of growth, backed by rising consumer demand and improving advertising revenues.
He also highlighted the Government’s push towards Cable digitisation as well as the role of free to air (FTH) DTH platforms like Doordarshan FreeDish in plugging the gap between premium DTH and low quality Cable market.
Naidu said the Ministry was in the process of bringing out a bringing about a complete overhaul in the Indian Information Service Cadre in line with the changing information and communication paradigm. The focus would be shifting towards strengthening of the regional infrastructure and personnel to fulfill the communication and information needs of each and every section of the society across the country.
Naidu also complimented the officials for their efforts while launching the new website of DD News on the occasion.
A presentation on the functioning of the RNUs was earlier made by DG News Veena Jain highlighting the mandates and achievements of the RNUs. The presentation also provided an insight into the future roadmap for the RNUs.
MoS Rajyavardhan Rathore, Prasar Bharati Chairman A Surya Prakash, Ministry Secretary N K.Sinha, and Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi S Vempatii were also present on the occasion.
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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.
