I&B Ministry
MHA holds up 56 TV channels’ applications for lack of security clearance
NEW DELHI: The Parliament has been informed that eight permission holder companies have been refused to set up television channels because the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) declined security clearances to them.
These include Mahuaa Media (earlier known as Pearls Media), which has applied for five channels; Sai Prakash Telecommunication for one channel; Positive Television, which applied for six channels and two teleports; Maa TV Network for four channels; STV Enterprises Ltd for four channels and one teleport; Indira Television for one channel and one teleport; and Lemon Entertainment for two channels.
In addition, the case of Sun TV Network for 33 channels and two teleports is held up as the matter is sub judice. The company also owns FM radio channels.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore told the Parliament that four of these have been served show-cause notices and the matter is under process.
The Ministry will decide on these cases on the basis of their reply in consultation with Home Ministry.
Permission and renewal of permission of satellite TV channels whose security clearance is denied by MHA are not granted. Such permission holder companies are issued Show Cause Notice (SCN) on the basis of legal advice obtained recently that gives them an opportunity to make their representation.
After consideration of the same, their permission is cancelled with the approval of competent authority on merits.
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.
