I&B Ministry
I&B ministry drives nearly 40 per cent of Rs 526 cr government ad outlay
Audio-visual spending jumps 39 per cent as print budgets shrink by over 40 per cent
NEW DELHI: The Union government sharply overhauled its advertising playbook in FY25, pouring money into audio-visual media while cutting print advertising by more than 40 per cent, according to ministry-wise expenditure data tabled in the Rajya Sabha.
Total government advertising spend across print and audio-visual media rose 6.5 per cent year-on-year to Rs 525.90 crore in FY25. But the topline increase masked a decisive reallocation of budgets. Spending on audio-visual media surged 39.1 per cent to Rs 406.12 crore, while print advertising collapsed to Rs 119.78 crore from Rs 202 crore a year earlier.
As a result, audio-visual platforms accounted for 77.2 per cent of total government ad expenditure, up from 59.1 per cent in FY24, underscoring a structural shift in how the state communicates with citizens.
The ministry of information and broadcasting was the single largest spender, accounting for Rs 208.35 crore, or nearly 40 per cent of the total outlay. Almost its entire budget Rs 205.13 crore, was directed towards audio-visual media, with print allocations slashed to just Rs 3.22 crore, down 92.9 per cent year-on-year.
The ministry of consumer affairs, food and public distribution ranked second, spending Rs 42.51 crore, virtually all of it on audio-visual platforms. Its AV budget ballooned more than eight-fold from Rs 4.90 crore in FY24, pointing to intensified public messaging on food security and consumer protection.
Together, the five biggest spenders: information and broadcasting, consumer affairs, defence, finance, and health and family welfare, accounted for nearly two-thirds of total government advertising expenditure.
The defence ministry stood out as an exception, retaining a print-heavy strategy. Nearly two-thirds of its Rs 31 crore ad spend went to print, with newspaper and magazine advertising more than doubling year-on-year, likely reflecting recruitment drives and ceremonial announcements.
For print publishers, the retreat of government advertising represents a fresh blow. Several ministries all but abandoned newspapers. The power ministry cut print spending by 95 per cent, environment and forests by 94.7 per cent, while the finance ministry reduced print allocations by nearly 70 per cent.
Meanwhile, television and digital video platforms emerged as clear winners. Health and family welfare more than doubled its AV spend to Rs 21.50 crore, agriculture raised its allocation to Rs 16.87 crore, and communications and IT quadrupled its budget.
Social media and digital platform advertising also gained traction. Spending rose to Rs 9.85 crore in FY25 and is budgeted at Rs 14.06 crore in FY26. Under the Central Bureau of Communication’s Digital Advertisement Policy, 2023, LS Digital and Interactive Avenues dominated allocations, with LS Digital alone receiving Rs 5.31 crore in FY25 and a sharply higher Rs 13.43 crore in FY26.
Media buyers say the numbers reflect a permanent recalibration rather than a one-off adjustment, as ministries prioritise reach, targeting and measurable outcomes, advantages print struggles to match.
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.
