Govt backs ad rate hike, TRAI exit, TRP norms; Deepavali gets UNESCO status

• The I&B Ministry justified a 26% hike in government print-advertising rates due to rising input costs and to sustain newspapers.
• The government is considering removing the broadcasting sector from TRAI's oversight, placing it fully under the MIB.
• Revised draft amendments to TRP Policy Guidelines are in the public domain for consultation, aiming for fairer ratings.
• Over 1.62 lakh self-declaration certificates for ads in food and health sectors have been filed as of July 25, 2025, under a Supreme Court directive.
• Deepavali has been inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, becoming India’s 16th tradition on the list.

Why It Matters: Govt actions reshape media regulation, advertising, and cultural recognition in India.