I&B Ministry
Parliament panel turns up the heat; asks MIB to give timeline for broadcast bill
MUMBAI: In a rebuke, the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology has demanded that the ministry of information and broadcasting stop dithering and set a firm deadline for the long-delayed Broadcasting Services Regulation Bill, The Economic Times has reported.
The parliamentary panel, clearly miffed at the glacial pace of progress, wants the controversial legislation tabled in Parliament “at the earliest” – governmental code for “you’ve been dragging your feet for too long.”
The ministry’s second draft of the broadcast bill had a spectacularly brief public life last year – introduced with fanfare in July only to be hastily withdrawn in August after media stakeholders threw a collective wobbly over the secretive consultation process.
Industry insiders were particularly hot under the collar about vague terminology that could potentially hand sweeping powers to bureaucrats – a prospect about as popular in newsrooms as a pay cut.
In its response to the parliamentary committee’s prodding, the ministry promised a fresh draft would emerge after “detailed consultations.” It outlined a tortuous path ahead: consultations will be followed by a draft cabinet note, inter-ministerial ruminations, and eventual submission for the cabinet’s consideration.
The committee’s action taken report makes it crystal clear that lawmakers’ patience is wearing thinner than a politician’s promises during election season.
Having previously recommended that the government “expedite” formulation of the law while ensuring adequate consultations, the committee has now upped the ante by demanding a concrete timeline.
The original draft bill had been available for public commentary from 10 November to 9 December 2023, with the deadline later extended to 15 January 2024 – but more than a year later, a revised version remains elusive .
Industry observers note that the regulatory vacuum continues to leave India’s vibrant broadcasting sector in limbo, with outdated rules struggling to address the challenges posed by streaming platforms and social media content.
“At this rate, we’ll have holographic television before we get a broadcasting law,” remarked one cynical media veteran.
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.
