I&B Ministry
Three complaints of TV shows promoting superstition & blind belief registered in 2013-2014
NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar has said there were only three complaints of television channels promoting superstition and blind belief in 2013 and 2014.
He told Parliament that the existing provisions contained in the Programme and Advertisement Codes and existing mechanism are considered adequate to regulate content.
However, advisories were issued in November 2011 and June last year to all channels not to promote such programmes.
The complaints on which warnings were issued include: ‘Ladkiyon Ka Gumnaam Bodyguard’ which promoted superstition and blind belief on Bansal News last year and ‘Rahasya’ for promoting superstition and blind belief on India News earlier this year.
An advisory was issued following telecast of ‘Aaj No Mahima, Desh Ni Gruh Dasha’ showing superstition and blind belief on Sandesh News (Transmedia News) in June last year.
Javadekar said the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act 1995 and the Rules framed thereunder do not provide for any pre-censorship of such programmes.
However, programmes telecast on such TV channels are required to conform to the Programme Code prescribed under Rules 6 of Cable Television Network Rules 1994. Specifically, Rule 6 (1) (j) of the Programme Code provides that no programme should be carried in the Cable Service which encourages superstition and blind-belief.
Appropriate action is taken against the channel, if violation of the Programme Code is established.
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.
