I&B Ministry
Tikona Digital permitted to bring in over Rs 250 crore as foreign direct investment
NEW DELHI: The Finance Ministry has cleared a proposal of M/s Tikona Digital Networks Pvt Ltd for the issuance of CCDs thereby increasing foreign equity to 76.73%.
This will involve Foreign Direct Investment of Rs 267 crore, according to the approval by the Foreign Investments Promotion Board in its 238th meeting.
The Ministry approved the proposal by Haymarket SAC Publishing (India) Private Limited for the take over the publication of the specialty magazine “Print Week” from Haymarket Media (India) Private Limited, its sister concern as it does not involve any foreign direct investment.
The Ministry deferred decision on a proposal by Quintillion Business Media Private Limited seeking approval for the issuance of equity shares to BLOOMBERG L.P. The investee company is proposed to be engaged inter alia in the uplinking and broadcasting of a business news television channel and operating related digital content platform in India.
It also deferred a proposal by The Financial Times (India) Private Limited for transfer of 99.99% of The Financial Times (India) Private Limited to Falstaff Singapore Pte Ltd, currently held by Pearson, Singapore, for an aggregate consideration of SGD 1; transfer of one share of The Financial Times (India) Private Limited to Falstaff Singapore Pte Ltd, currently held by Pearson, Amsterdam; and transfer of entire shareholding of Falstaff Singapore Pte Ltd to Nikkei Inc, currently held by Pearson, Amsterdam.
The Ministry deferred a proposal by M/s Idea Cellular Infrastructure Services Limited (ICISL) to take on record the increase of foreign investment in ICISL beyond 50% and allow foreign investment in ICISL up to 67.5%.
The Ministry noted that ICISL is a wholly owned subsidiary of IDEA which has become a foreign owned company with more that 50% foreign investment. Accordingly, ICISL is also deemed to have foreign investment in excess of 50% as a mirror image of its parent company.
A proposal by M/s BT Global Communications (Mauritius) Limited to acquire remaining 26% equity and preference share capital of M/s BT Telecom India Private Limited (Investee Company) from M/s Jubilant Stock Holding Private Limited, which will result in increasing its shareholding in the investee company from 74% to 100% was also deferred.
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.
