I&B Ministry
Rs 64,840 crore expected as revenue from spectrum auction
NEW DELHI: The estimated revenue from the auction of spectrum is targeted at Rs 64,840 crore (excluding 2100 MHz spectrum) of which Rs 16,000 crore is expected to be released in the current financial year.
The reserve price approved is Rs 3,646 crore pan-India per MHZ in 800 MHz, Rs 3,980 crore for 900 MHz band pan-India excluding Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Jammu and Kashmir; Rs 2,191 crore pan-India (excluding Maharashtra and West Bengal) in 1800 MHz band.
The union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal of the Department of Telecom to proceed with auction in 800, 900 & 1800 MHz bands.
The quantum of spectrum to be put to auction is 103.75 MHz in 800 MHz band in all service areas, 177.8 MHz in 17 LSAs in 900 MHz band and 99.2 MHz in 15 LSAs in 1800 MHz band. Thus a total of 380.75 MHz in 800,900 & 1800 MHz is being put to auction.
Payment terms, eligibility criteria and auction objectives shall be as in the previous auction of February 2014.
The cabinet also decided that intent to put 2100 MHz to simultaneous auction may be announced along with auction of other bands. Details of this will be announced later on.
The government has set itself the following objectives for the auctions:
• Obtain a market determined price of apectrum in various bands through a transparent process;
• Ensure efficient use of spectrum and avoid hoarding;
• Stimulate competition in the sector;
• Promote rollout of the respective services;
• Maximise revenue proceeds from the auctions within the set parameters.
Eligibility Criterion
• Any licensee that holds a UAS/ CMTS/ UL(AS)/UL licence with authorization for Access Services for that Service Area; or
• Any licensee that fulfils the eligibility for obtaining a Unified License with authorisation for Access Services; or
• Any entity that gives an undertaking to obtain a Unified License for access service authorisation through a New Entrant Nominee as per the DoT guidelines/licence conditions. Can bid for the Spectrum (subject to other provisions of the Notice).
Payment Terms
Successful bidders shall make the payment in any of the following two options:
a) Full upfront payment within 10 days of declaration of final price or pre-payment of one or more annual instalments; or
b) Deferred payment, subject to the following conditions:
(i) An upfront payment; of 33 per cent in the case of 1800MHz band, and 25 per cent in case of 900MHz and 800 MHz; of the final bid amount shall be made within 10 days of declaration of successful bidders and final price;
(ii) There shall be a moratorium of two years for payment of balance amount of one time charges for the spectrum, which shall be recovered in 10 equal annual instalments.
(iii) The first instalment of the balance due shall become due on the third anniversary of the scheduled date of the first payment. Subsequent instalment shall become due on the same date of each following year. Prepayment of one or more instalments will be allowed on each annual anniversary date of the first upfront payment, based upon the principle that the net present value of the payment is protected.
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.
