CBC extends validity of govt ad rates for private FM radio stations by three years

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has extended the validity of existing rates for the release of government advertisements on private FM radio stations by another three years, providing continuity to the government's advertising rate framework for the sector.

In an advisory dated November 6, 2026, the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, said that the revised rates notified for government advertisements on private FM radio stations will remain valid for a further period of three years, from November 3, 2026, to November 2, 2029.

However, the extension will be subject to an earlier cut-off linked to the next Indian Readership Survey (IRS). The existing rates will cease to remain valid one year after the release of the next IRS survey, if that date falls before November 2, 2029.

The decision has been taken with the approval of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and extends the existing rate structure without announcing any fresh revision.

The advisory, issued by the CBC, refers to its earlier communication dated November 3, 2023, through which revised rates for the release of government advertisements on private FM radio stations were notified. Those rates had been introduced pursuant to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's Office Memorandum dated October 5, 2023.

Under paragraph 2 of the November 3, 2023 advisory, the revised rates were originally valid for three years from the date of notification, with the validity period ending on November 2, 2026.

With the latest decision, the government has extended the existing rates for another three-year period, ensuring that the rate framework governing government advertising on private FM radio stations continues beyond its original validity period.

Importantly, the CBC advisory clarifies that all other terms and conditions stipulated in the November 3, 2023 communication will remain unchanged. This means the latest decision is limited to an extension of the validity period of the existing rates, rather than a comprehensive revision of the policy governing government advertisements on private FM radio stations.

The decision is relevant to private FM radio broadcasters that are empanelled with the Central Bureau of Communication for the release of government advertisements. The CBC is responsible for facilitating government advertising across various media platforms and communicating the applicable advertising rates and related conditions.

By retaining the existing rates, the government has maintained continuity in the framework for placing advertisements on private FM radio stations. The next revision or change in the applicable rate structure will be subject to the government's subsequent decisions and the timeline specified in the advisory concerning the next IRS survey.