This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1669 regarding misleading advertisements, answered on July 30, 2025. The response addresses the number of advertisements issued across various platforms since June 2024, compliance with the Supreme Court's directive of May 7, 2024, cases of misleading advertisements published without a valid Self-Declaration Certificate (SDC), and plans to streamline the compliance mechanism.
All advertisements on private satellite TV channels must adhere to the Advertising Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995. In compliance with the Supreme Court order in WPC No. 645 of 2022, a new SDC feature was launched on the Broadcast Seva Portal and Press Council of India Portal. An advisory was issued on July 3, 2024, requiring advertisers and agencies to upload an annual SDC for advertisements related to food and health products and services.
As of July 25, 2025, the following number of SDCs have been filed:
* Press Council of India Portal: 145,288
* Broadcast Seva Portal: 16,869
Key Entities Referenced
SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL: Member of Parliament who raised the question about misleading advertisements.
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING: The Indian government ministry responsible for information dissemination and broadcasting regulations.
Self-Declaration Certificates SDCs: Certificates required for advertisements, indicating compliance with regulations.
Supreme Court: The highest judicial body in India, which issued directives regarding misleading advertisements.
Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995: An Indian law regulating cable television networks, including advertising content.
Indian Medical Association: An organization involved in the Supreme Court case regarding misleading advertisements.
Broadcast Seva Portal: Online portal for broadcasting related services, including SDC filings.
Press Council of India Portal: Online portal of the Press Council of India, also used for SDC filings.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1669
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30/07/2025
MISLEADING ADVERTISEMENTS
1669. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of advertisements issued across print, television, radio and digital
platforms since June 2024 and the number of Self-Declaration Certificates (SDCs)
actually filed, platform-wise;
(b) whether the Government has identified any gaps in compliance with the Supreme
Court’s directive dated May 7, 2024 and if so, the nature of non-compliance and action
taken;
(c) the details of number of cases, if any, where misleading advertisements were published
without a valid SDC during the last one year along with penal proceedings which have
been initiated; and
(d) whether the Government plans to streamline and unify the compliance mechanism
across all media formats to reduce bureaucratic burden especially for small and rural
advertisers and if so, the details thereof including timeline for implementation?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) to (d):
All advertisements telecast on private satellite TV channels are required to adhere to the
Advertising Code prescribed under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and
Rules framed thereunder.In compliance of the Hon’ble Supreme Court order dated 07.05.2024 in WP(C) No. 645 of
2022 - Indian Medical Association & Anr. Vs. Union of India & Ors., a new feature for Self-
Declaration Certificate (SDC) was launched on the Broadcast Seva Portal and Press Council of
India Portal.
An advisory dated 03.07.2024 was issued to the advertisers and advertising agencies to upload
an annual SDC for advertisement related to products and services related to food and health
sectors.
Details of SDCs filed as on 25.07.2025 are as follows:
Sr. No. Portal SDCs filed
1. Press Council of India 1,45,288
2. Broadcast Seva 16,869
******