Govt says OTT content stays outside CBFC jurisdiction; 3-tier IT Rules mechanism in place

The Centre clarified in the Lok Sabha that OTT content remains outside CBFC’s purview and is regulated under the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021

by e4m Staff
Published: Dec 18, 2025 9:09 AM | 2 min read

The government has reaffirmed that content on over-the-top (OTT) platforms will continue to remain outside the jurisdiction of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), underscoring that online streaming services operate under a distinct regulatory framework.

In a Lok Sabha response to a question by Dr. M K Vishnu Prasad, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan confirmed that digital content streamed on OTT platforms is governed by the provisions of Part III of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

The CBFC, established under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, is tasked with examining and certifying films intended for public exhibition in theatres. However, according to the official Press Information Bureau release, this certification regime does not extend to content on OTT platforms.

Under the IT Rules, OTT services must adhere to a Code of Ethics that requires platforms to avoid publishing content prohibited by law and to undertake age-based classification of content in accordance with guidelines set out in the rules.

To ensure compliance and address public grievances, the regulatory framework establishes a three-tier institutional mechanism which would include Level I consisting of self-regulation by content publishers, followed by Level II where there’d be oversight by self-regulating bodies formed by the publishers and finally Level III with supervision and intervention by the Central Government

Grievances related to OTT content are initially forwarded to the respective platforms for appropriate action at Level I, allowing publishers to address concerns through internal redressal processes under the IT Rules, 2021.

The clarification reinforces the government’s position that the digital streaming ecosystem should be regulated through a specific IT-rules-based mechanism rather than through traditional film certification, reflecting a differentiated approach to content oversight on digital platforms.