It was the first state film production and distribution unit, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, with its main intent being to "produce documentaries and news magazines for publicity of Government programmes" and the cinematic record of Indian history.
[2][3] FDI was divided into four wings; these are Production, Distribution, International Documentary and Short Film Festival.
The Division produces documentaries/news magazines from its headquarters in Mumbai, films on defence and family welfare from New Delhi and featurettes focussing on rural India from the regional centres at Calcutta now (Kolkata) and Bangalore.
[5] For decades to come, FDI would produce thousands of documentaries and newsreels that would reach as many as 25 million Indians a week.
[9] The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi inaugurated National Museum of Indian Cinema in Mumbai on 19 January 2019.