Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Delhi govt notifies SOP to ease cinema hall licensing process
Opening a movie theatre in Delhi used to be very slow.
People had to visit many different offices to get permission.
The Delhi government has now made a new rule to make this faster.
Now there is one single window for everything.
A committee will check that the theatre is safe.
Another committee will decide whether to give the licence.
Everything will be done online, so people do not have to visit offices.
There are time limits for each step.
If the safety check is fine and the decision is late, the licence is given automatically.
Theatres will also be checked every year with surprise visits and fire drills to keep people safe.
The Delhi government notified a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to streamline the licensing process for cinema halls.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the SOP was finalised in 2015 but never implemented by the previous AAP-led government.
The SOP replaces separate No Objection Certificates (NOCs) with an integrated single-window system.
The District Licensing Committee (DLC), headed by the Deputy Commissioner (Revenue)/District Magistrate, will take final licensing decisions based on inspection reports.
Time limits are set for each stage, and licences will be automatically generated if compliance is met and the DLC misses its deadline.
- Who
- The Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, notified the SOP; the District Licensing Committee (DLC) and District Inspection Committee (DIC) will implement it.
- What
- A Standard Operating Procedure introducing an integrated single-window system for cinema hall licensing, replacing separate NOCs.
- When
- Announced on Monday; the SOP was originally finalised in 2015.
- Where
- Delhi.
- Why
- To eliminate delays, address coordination issues between departments, and comply with Supreme Court directions related to the Uphaar Cinema tragedy.
- Government
- Delhi government
- Chief Minister
- Rekha Gupta
- SOP finalised
- 2015
- Licensing committee
- District Licensing Committee (DLC), headed by Deputy Commissioner (Revenue)/District Magistrate
- Inspection committee
- District Inspection Committee (DIC), headed by SDM
- Time limits
- 7 working days for scrutiny, 45 days for inspection, 30 days for decision
- Portal
- e-District Delhi portal
- Annual safety checks
- Joint inspections with DDMA, surprise inspections and two mock drills per year