Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Indian Polity & Governance
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
UPSC frequently asks about the roles and responsibilities of Union Ministries, their policy-making functions, and their impact on various sectors, including media, culture, and public communication.
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is a central ministry of the Government of India responsible for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and laws relating to information, broadcasting, the press and films in India.
Facts & tables
- Type
- Union Government Ministry
- Primary Role
- Oversees information dissemination, broadcasting, press, and film sectors
- Key Functions
- Policy formulation, regulation, promotion of media and entertainment
- Associated Bodies
- NFDC, Prasar Bharati, Press Information Bureau (PIB)
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Executive & Council of Ministers |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) | Autonomous body under |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Factual recall
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
- Union Ministry of Government of India.
- Formulates policies for information, broadcasting, press, and films.
- Administers various laws and regulations in these sectors.
- Oversees bodies like NFDC, Prasar Bharati, PIB.
- Plays a key role in public communication and cultural promotion.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2022 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2021 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2021 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2018 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2015 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2013 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2013 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
Timeline
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Executive & Council of Ministers
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2013
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2013
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2015
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2018
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2021
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
-
Prelims 2021
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2022
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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WAVES Film Bazaar Screenwriters' Lab 2025 project ‘Yayavar – The Migrating Bird’ signs Letter of Intent for international collaboration
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is a Union Ministry responsible for policy formulation and administration concerning information, broadcasting, press, and films in India, overseeing various autonomous bodies and initiatives.
See also
No related topics linked yet.
Past papers
2013–2022 · 5 questions
In the news
WAVES Film Bazaar Screenwriters' Lab 2025 project ‘Yayavar – The Migrating Bird’ signs Letter of Intent for international collaboration
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is a Union Ministry responsible for policy formulation and administration concerning information, broadcasting, press, and films in India, overseeing various autonomous bodies and initiatives.
Try these PYQs
With reference to the Union Government, consider the following statements:
1. N. Gopalaswamy Iyengar Committee suggested that a minister and a secretary be designated solely for pursuing the subject of administrative reform and promoting it.
2. In 1970, the Department of Personnel was constituted on the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission, 1966, and this was placed under the Prime Minister’s charge.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect. Sh. N. Gopalaswamy Ayyangar, in his Report namely Reorganization of the Machinery of Central Government in 1950 recommended for the grouping of ministries, improvement in the capabilities of the personnel, and also in the working of the O&M Division. It nowhere mentions that a minister and a secretary be designated solely for pursuing the subject of administrative reform and promoting it. Statement 2 is correct. In 1970, based on the recommendations of the Administrative Reforms Commission, the Department of Personnel was set up in the Cabinet Secretariat. It was placed under the Prime Minister's Office.
With reference to the Parliament of India, which of the following Parliamentary Committees scrutinizes and reports to the House whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, by-laws, etc. conferred by the Constitution or delegated by the Parliament are being properly exercised by the Executive within the scope of such delegation?
The Committee on Subordinate Legislation (CSL) is specifically tasked with scrutinizing and reporting on the exercise of delegated powers by the executive branch. They ensure the government is acting within the legal boundaries set by Parliament when creating rules, regulations, etc. Committee on Government Assurances (A) focuses on tracking the implementation of assurances, and promises made by the government in Parliament. Rules Committee (C) deals with framing rules for the smooth functioning of the Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha). Business Advisory Committee (D) allocates time for different kinds of legislative and other business of the House. Therefore, only the Committee on Subordinate Legislation directly addresses the scrutiny of delegated powers.
Consider the following statements:
1. The Constitution of India classifies the ministers into four ranks viz. Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State and Deputy Minister.
2. The total number of ministers in the Union Government/including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Constitution of India does not classify ministers into four fixed ranks. There are broadly two categories based on parliamentary convention - Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State (with or without independent charge). The number of ranks can vary based on the specific structure chosen by the government. Statement 2 is correct: The 91st Amendment to the Constitution limits the size of the Council of Ministers. The total number of ministers, including the Prime Minister, cannot exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.
Who among the following constitute the National Development Council?
1. The Prime Minister
2. The Chairman, Finance Commission
3. Ministers of the Union Cabinet
4. Chief Ministers of the States
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
The National Development Council (NDC) in India is comprised of the following members: * The Prime Minister (who chairs the council)
* Ministers of the Union Cabinet
* Chief Ministers of the States The Chairman, Finance Commission - while the Finance Commission plays a crucial role in recommending the devolution of financial resources from the central government to the states, the Chairman is not a member of the NDC. _Note: While the NDC was proposed to be abolished, it has not been formally dissolved, although its powers have largely been transferred to the NITI Aayog's Governing Council._
Consider the following statements:
1. The Council of Ministers at the Centre shall be collectively responsible to the Parliament.
2. The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India.
3. The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for Legislation.
Which of the Statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is not correct: The Council of Ministers in the Centre shall be collectively responsible to Lok Sabha, not parliament. Statement 2 is correct: The Union Ministers shall hold the office during the pleasure of the President of India. Statement 3 is correct: The Prime Minister shall communicate to the President about the proposals for legislation.
Show 3 more PYQs
In India, what is the role of the Coal Controller's Organization (CCO)?
1. CCO is the major source of Coal Statistics in Government of India.
2. It monitors progress of development of Captive Coal/Lignite blocks.
3. It hears any objection ' to the Government's notification relating to acquisition of coal-bearing areas.
4. It ensures that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
The Coal Controller's Organisation (CCO) is a subordinate office of the Ministry of Coal, having its headquarters at Kolkata and field offices at Dhanbad, Ranchi, Bilaspur, Nagpur, Sambalpur, Kothagudem and Asansol. It collects and maintains coal production data of all private and public sector coal mines in the country. The information is collected every month. Statement 1 is correct. Under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 Coal Controller has been made the statistical authority concerning coal and lignite statistics. Entrusted with the responsibility of carrying out the Annual Coal & Lignite survey and publishing of Provisional Coal Statistics and Coal Directory of India. Statement 2 is correct. It is entrusted with the task of monitoring captive mines. Work such as permission for the opening and reopening of coal mines has been entrusted to the CCO. Statement 3 is correct. Under the Coal Bearing Area (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957- the Coal Controller is the competent authority under this act to hear any objection to the Central Government's Notification relating to the acquisition of coal-bearing land and to furnish his reports to the Central Govt. Statement 4 is incorrect. Ensuring that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time is not the function of the Coal Controller's Organization (CCO).
At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006?
At the national level, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
The Government of India has established NITI Aayog to replace the
The Government of India established NITI Aayog to replace the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission was established in 1950 and played a vital role in India's economic development through five-year plans. However, NITI Aayog, formed in 2015, was designed to be a more agile and forward-looking institution compared to the Planning Commission.