Government Schemes and Policy · 16 August 2026

Government removes 12-minute advertisement duration cap for TV channels

Exam-focused facts from the 16 August 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

  • The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting removed the 12-minute advertisement duration cap for television channels.
  • The decision will take effect from the date of notification of the amendment in the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 in the Gazette.
  • The cap was introduced in 2006 when there were only 62 TV channels, compared with more than 900 currently.
  • The Ministry cited adequate competition within the TV industry and between TV and digital media as the reason for the removal.
  • The removal aims to enable fair competition and ensure ease of doing business.

View this story in the full daily briefing

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