I&B Ministry
Three-tier committees set up by Election Commission to monitor paid news
NEW DELHI: Following the announcement of elections to the state assemblies of Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir next month, the Election Commission of India on 23 October said that it had put into force a mechanism to deal with the issue of ‘paid news’.
The mechanism provides for three-tier Media Certification and Monitoring Committees (MCMC) at district, state and ECI level.
It has also placed on its website eci.gov.in revised comprehensive instructions on paid news.
Necessary instructions have been issued to the CEOs of the poll going states to ensure briefing of political parties and media in the districts about ‘Paid News’ and the mechanism to check paid news. The MCMCs of all states have been trained to do their job.
With the model code of conduct coming into effect immediately, the Commission has made elaborate arrangements for ensuring their effective implementation and any violation of these guidelines would be strictly dealt with. The Commission re-emphasises that the instructions issued in this regard from time to time should be read and understood by all political parties, contesting candidates and their agents/representatives, to avoid any misgivings or lack of information or understanding/interpretation.
The commission attaches great importance to preparation and implementation of a perfect communication plan at the district/constituency level for the smooth conduct of elections and to enable concurrent intervention and mid-course correction on the poll day.
It has directed the chief electoral officers of the polling going states to coordinate with the officers of the Telecommunication Department in the state headquarters, BSNL authorities, the representatives of other leading service providers in the states so that network status in the states is assessed and communication shadow areas be identified. The CEOs have also been advised to ensure best communication plan in their states.
All critical events will be video-graphed. District election officers will arrange sufficient number of video and digital cameras and camera teams for the purpose. The events for videography will include filing of nominations, scrutiny thereof and allotment of symbols, first level checking, preparations and storage of electronic voting machines, important public meetings, processions etc. during campaign, process of dispatching of postal ballot papers, polling process in identified vulnerable polling stations, storage of polled EVMs, counting of votes etc.
Webcasting, videography and digital cameras will also be deployed inside polling booths wherever needed.
CDs of video recordings will be available on payment to anyone who wishes to obtain a copy of the same.
The elections will take place in five phases in both states from 25 November onwards and the counting will be done simultaneously on 23 December.
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.
