**Policy Summary: Private FM Radio Phase-III Expansion**
On August 28, 2024, the Government of India approved the e-auction of 730 Private FM radio channels under Phase-III policy. This expansion aims to cover 234 previously uncovered cities, including 68 channels specifically for Andhra Pradesh. Details regarding the district-wise distribution of these channels in Andhra Pradesh are available on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting website. Revenue generated from existing FM radio channels since the 2015 auction is also available, with year-wise and city-wise data accessible on the ministry's website. Specific locations for the aforementioned data are available at: https:mib.gov.insitesdefaultfiles2024 12nia14oct2024final.pdf and https:mib.gov.insitesdefaultfiles202507revenue160 channels92cities.xlsx respectively.
Key Entities Referenced
Private FM Radio PhaseIII Policy: A government policy regarding the expansion of private FM radio services.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: The Indian government ministry responsible for information and broadcasting policies and regulations.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Dr. C M Ramesh: The Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question regarding the Private FM Radio PhaseIII Policy.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India, specifically mentioned regarding the coverage of the Private FM Radio PhaseIII Policy.
Dr. L. Murugan: The Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs who provided the answer to the question.
28th August 2024: The date on which the Government approved the eauction of 730 Private FM channels.
2015: The year from which revenue generated from the existing Radio FM Channels since their auction is considered
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1686
TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
PRIVATE FM RADIO PHASE-III POLICY.
1686. DR. C M RAMESH:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is true that the Cabinet has approved e-auction of 730 channels under Private FM
Radio Phase-III Policy;
(b) if so, the details of cities which are going to be covered in Andhra Pradesh, district-wise;
and
(c) the details of Revenue that the Government generated from the existing Radio FM Channels
since their auction in 2015, Year and city-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) to (c):
On 28th August 2024, Government approved the e-auction of 730 Private FM channels in 234
new uncovered cities including 68 channels in Andhra Pradesh.
City-wise details of these channels and revenue generated from earlier auctions are available
on ministry’s website (Link: https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/2024-
12/nia_14oct2024_final.pdf and https://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-07/revenue-160-
channels-92-cities.xlsx respectively).
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