The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting addressed Unstarred Question No. 2976 on December 17, 2025, regarding OTT content regulation under the CBFC. The Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan, stated that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is a statutory authority under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, responsible for examining and certifying films for public exhibition. OTT content is currently regulated under Part III of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. These rules mandate OTT platforms to avoid prohibited content and implement age-based content classification. A three-tier grievance redressal mechanism exists: Level I (Self-regulation by publishers), Level II (Self-regulation by self-regulating bodies), and Level III (Oversight by the Central Government). Grievances are forwarded to OTT platforms for self-regulation under Level I of the IT Rules, 2021.
Key Entities Referenced
Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021: Rules regulating OTT content, including provisions for a three-tier institutional mechanism for content-related norms and grievance redressal.
Over The Top (OTT): Refers to the content delivered over the internet, and the central subject of the policy regarding regulation and compliance.
Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC): Statutory authority established under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, responsible for examining and certifying films; the document discusses potentially bringing OTT content under its system.
Cinematograph Act, 1952: Act under which the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is established and regulates films for public exhibition.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: The government ministry responsible for information and broadcasting policies, including those related to OTT content regulation.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2976
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025
OTT CONTENT UNDER CBFC
2976: DR. M K VISHNU PRASAD
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
a) whether the Government is considering bringing Over The Top (OTT) content
under the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) system and if so, the details
thereof;
b) if not, the alternative mechanisms proposed to ensure content discipline;
c) the number of complaints received by the Government against OTT content during
the last three years; and
d) the action taken by the Government on such complaints?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) to (d): Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is a statutory authority established
under the Cinematograph Act, 1952 for examining and certifying cinematographic films
for public exhibition.
OTT content is regulated under the provisions of Part III of the Information Technology
(Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
The Code of Ethics requires OTT platforms to avoid publishing content prohibited by
law and undertake age-based classification of content as per the guidelines in the
Rules.These Rules also outline a three-tier institutional mechanism for ensuring adherence
to content-related norms and for addressing public grievances.
Level I: Self-regulation by the publishers
Level II: Self-regulation by the self-regulating bodies of the publishers
Level III: Oversight mechanism by the Central Government
The grievances related to OTT content are duly forwarded to the concerned OTT
platforms for appropriate action under the Level-I of the redressal mechanism viz. self-
regulation by the publishers, provided under the IT Rules, 2021.
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