The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has clarified that OTT (Over-The-Top) content in India will continue to remain outside the jurisdiction of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). This statement was officially released on December 17, 2025, confirming that digital content is regulated separately under the Information Technology Rules, 2021.
The CBFC, established under the Cinematograph Act of 1952, is responsible for certifying films for public exhibition. However, it does not have the authority to regulate content on OTT platforms. Instead, OTT content falls under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which include a three-tier system for content regulation:
- Level I: Self-regulation by the OTT publishers
- Level II: Oversight by self-regulating bodies formed by publishers
- Level III: Final oversight by the Central Government
According to the Ministry, any complaints about OTT content should first be addressed by the concerned OTT platform under Level-I, which involves self-regulation. This framework was explained by Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, in response to questions raised in the Lok Sabha about digital media governance.
