Parliament Question: Controversies regarding TRPs

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1688 (TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2026) CONTROVERSIES REGARDING TRPs.

1688. SHRI ABDUL WAHAB:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government is aware of the controversies and allegations of manipulation related to Television Rating Points (TRPs) by the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) in recent years;

(b) if so, the details of complaints received and actions taken thereon;

(c) whether any inquiry, audit or independent investigation has been ordered into the functioning and methodology of BARC;

(d) if so, the findings thereof; and

(e) the steps proposed to ensure transparency, credibility and accountability in television audience measurement in the country? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN):

(a) to (e): Television ratings in India are governed by the Policy Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies, 2014, which, inter alia, prescribes a structured mechanism for grievance redressal. In accordance with these Guidelines, all complaints, representations, and grievances received in relation to TRPs are examined for appropriate redressal.

The Government published a draft amendment to these guidelines for public consultations on 02.07.2025. Proposed amendments aim to enable fair competition, generate more accurate and representative data, and ensure that the TRP system reflects the diverse and evolving media consumption habits of viewers from across the country. After examining the inputs, a revised draft amendment has been further published on 06.11.2025 for public consultation.

The Government continues to closely monitor developments to ensure the credibility and integrity of the television audience measurement system. *****