OTT Content to Remain Outside CBFC Purview, Government Reaffirms

The government has reiterated that content available on over-the-top (OTT) platforms will not fall under the jurisdiction of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), reaffirming that digital streaming services are governed by a separate regulatory mechanism.

Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha raised by Dr. M K Vishnu Prasad, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan clarified that OTT content is regulated under Part III of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. He confirmed that the CBFC’s mandate, defined under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, is limited to films intended for public exhibition in theatres and does not extend to online streaming content.

According to an official Press Information Bureau release, OTT platforms are required to follow a Code of Ethics under the IT Rules. This includes ensuring that content does not violate existing laws and adopting age-based content classification in line with prescribed guidelines.

The regulatory framework for OTT platforms also provides for a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism. At Level I, content publishers are responsible for self-regulation and addressing complaints internally. Level II involves oversight by self-regulating bodies constituted by the publishers, while Level III provides for supervision and intervention by the Central Government. Complaints related to OTT content are first routed to the concerned platform, allowing publishers to take corrective action through their internal grievance redressal systems.

The clarification reinforces the government’s stance that digital streaming platforms should be regulated through a dedicated IT Rules–based framework rather than traditional film certification processes. This approach reflects a differentiated model of content oversight, recognising the distinct nature of digital media ecosystems.