Government names Vempati as new CBFC chief, succeeds Prasoon Joshi

Shashi Shekhar Vempati appointed as the new Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). It was announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on 6th May and will continue for three years. Vempati will succeeds the Prasoon Joshi who recently took over as the Chairman of Prasar Bharati. He is known for having strong background in media, broadcasting, technology and public communication.

Who is Shashi Shekhar Vempati?

Shashi Shekhar Vempati is the media strategist, technology advocate and the former bureaucratic leader and having the deep experience in India’s public broadcasting system.

He is widely recognized for serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati where he played the major role to modernizing the India’s public broadcasting infrastructure which includes the Doordarshan and All India Radio.

IIT Bombay Graduate with Technology Background

Shashi Shekhar Vempati is the alumni of Indian Institute of Technology Bombay where he completed his BTech. in Chemical Engineering.

His engineering and technology background later helped him to move into digital innovation, public communication and the AI-driven initiatives.

Unlike the many traditional media administrators, Vempati combines the expertise in technology and governance which has has made him the influential figure in India’s digital transformation ecosystem.

Key Roles Held by Shashi Shekhar Vempati

Over the years Mr. Vempati has held the several important leadership positions across the media and policy institutions.

He was the former CEO of Prasar Bharati and he led major reforms in the public broadcasting and digital outreach.

His tenure focused on to modernization of Doordarshan and All India Radio and expansion of digital broadcasting initiatives.

He also simultaneously led the Rajya Sabha TV and helped to improve its digital and policy-focused programming.

Vempati is also the co-founder of the AI4India Org and this initiative aims to democratizing access to Artificial Intelligence technology across India.

Contribution to Education and Science Communication

Shashi Shekhar Vempati has also chaired the several important advisory and educational committees.

He served as the Chairperson of the Science & Technology Communication Apex Advisory Committee under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Chairperson of the UGC Experts Committee on Educational Media.

Also the board member at institutions including IIMC and Jamia’s AJK Mass Communication & Media Research Centre.

Author and Public Policy Thinker

He is also an Author and he wrote the book ‘Collective Spirit Concrete Action – Mann Ki Baat and Its Influence on India’ which examines the impact of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s radio outreach program.

This book reflects the his broader interest in the communication strategy, governance and public engagement.

About the CBFC

The Central Board of Film Certification is the statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting which regulates the public exhibition of films in India under the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

The films can only be publicly released in India after receiving the certification from the CBFC.

The headquarters of the CBFC is located in Mumbai and it operates through the nine regional offices across India which includes the,