I&B Ministry
MIB says fewer TV channels violating ad, prog norms
NEW DELHI: Indian channels seem to be finally toeing the line. The number of TV channels violating codes has been on a decline over the years. As many as 54 private television channels have violated the programme and advertising codes since 2014, though the number has been dipping, the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) was informed.
17 channels each violated the code in 2014 and 2015, while 16 channels in 2016, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Smriti Irani said in a written reply on Thursday to question from a fellow parliamentarian.
However, there was a sharp dip in 2017 with only four channels found to have violated the code. No violations have been reported yet this year.
The minister said that all the programmes and advertisements telecast on private satellite TV channels were required to adhere to the Programme and Advertising Codes prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, and Cable Television Network Rules, 1994.
The minister added that the regulations do not provide for pre-censorship of any programme or advertisement telecast on the channels. However, all programmes and advertisements were required to be in conformity with the relevant codes, which contain a whole range of parameters to regulate programmes and advertisements on TV channels.
Irani said that action is taken against TV channels as per uplinking and downlinking guidelines whenever any violation of the codes is established.
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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.
