**Summary:**
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has proposed reforms to the television audience measurement system in India. This initiative stems from Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 468, addressed on July 23, 2025, regarding the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC). The government has proposed amendments to the existing Policy Guidelines for Television rating agencies in India dated 16.01.2014. Draft amendments have been published on the Ministry's website for public consultation. The proposed reforms aim to foster fair competition, generate more accurate and representative data, and ensure the TRP system reflects the diverse media consumption habits of viewers nationwide. The reforms also address removing restrictive provisions for media houses to allow more players besides BARC, intending to democratize and modernize the television audience measurement ecosystem.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: The Indian government ministry responsible for information dissemination and broadcasting regulations.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Indian Parliament.
Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC): The current television audience measurement agency in India.
SHRI EATALA RAJENDER: Member of Parliament who asked the question.
SHRI CHAMALA KIRAN KUMAR REDDY: Member of Parliament who asked the question.
SMT. D K ARUNA: Member of Parliament who asked the question.
DR. L. MURUGAN: The Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs.
Policy Guidelines for Television rating agencies in India dated 16.01.2014: Existing policy guidelines which are proposed to be amended.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 468
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025)
BROADCAST AUDIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL.
468. SHRI EATALA RAJENDER:
SHRI CHAMALA KIRAN KUMAR REDDY:
SMT. D K ARUNA:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has proposed amendments to Rules for TV rating agencies
and also propose to remove some restrictive provisions for media houses to allow more
players besides the current Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to
democratise and modernise the television audience measurement ecosystem; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and views received from Experts, Stakeholders, the Committees
and Task Forces appointed/recommendations received/action taken thereon to date to
suit the present conditions along with the views of Experts in this regard?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) and (b):
The government has proposed reforms to the television audience measurement system.
Draft amendments to the existing Policy Guidelines for Television rating agencies in India
dated 16.01.2014, have been published on the website of the Ministry for public consultation.
Proposed reforms aim to enable fair competition, generate more accurate and representative
data, and ensure that the TRP system accurately reflects the diverse and evolving media
consumption habits of viewers across the country.
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