The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has introduced revised guidelines for the certification of motion pictures in India. These new rules place increased emphasis on content that may be deemed harmful to societal norms, national interests, or public safety.
According to the updated provisions, films must remain 'responsible and sensitive to the values and standards of society.' The CBFC is a government body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting that reviews films intended for public screening and issues appropriate certificates in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
What do the new CBFC guidelines stipulate?
The revised directives impose restrictions on the depiction of violence, criminal activity, and material that might encourage real-life offenses. Films must not glorify violence or depict criminals' methods in a way that could promote or incite crime.
Two points of the rules are particularly noteworthy: one prohibits content promoting a 'communal, obscurantist, anti-scientific, or anti-national sentiment.' Another states that films must not 'strain friendly relations between India and foreign nations.'
The provision concerning friendly relations with foreign countries became relevant in a recent film certification case. The Bollywood war drama by Salman Khan, previously known as 'Galwan Attack' and titled 'Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace,' is based on the military clash between India and China in 2020. It is reported that the film faced delays in obtaining CBFC certification due to the depiction of content related to China.
Drugs, Violence, and Sensitive Topics
The guidelines also specify concrete requirements for scenes involving narcotic and psychotropic substances. Any scene showing their use, consumption, or trade must include a legally mandated warning: 'Illegal drugs destroy health and guarantee imprisonment. Say no to drugs.'
This system also cautions against content that may offend people's feelings or sensitivities. It includes restrictions and protective measures regarding the depiction of child abuse and crimes against women. Violence that is not essential to the plot is also discouraged.
What are the new categories of film certificates?
Under the revised system, films can receive one of six categories: U, UA, UA 7+, UA 13+, UA 16+, or A. The U certificate is intended for unrestricted viewing by the general public, while films that may be unsuitable for younger viewers may receive a UA certificate with an age restriction. UA categories allow younger audiences to watch films under parental supervision within the specified age limits. The A certificate is reserved for adult audiences.
Why are film titles scrutinized?
The revised guidelines explicitly instruct the board to check film titles and reject those considered 'provocative, vulgar, or offensive.' This issue was recently raised in a certification dispute. The CBFC initially objected to the title of a 2025 Malayalam film, 'Janaki vs State of Kerala,' presumably because the name Janaki, associated with the goddess Sita, was used for a character who experienced sexual violence. The matter was brought before the Kerala High Court, which questioned the objection, pointing out the use of names associated with deities in many existing films. Ultimately, the title was retained.
How do the new rules differ from the 1991 framework?
The updated guidelines are based on rules that have been in effect in some form since 1991. However, an Expert Committee led by filmmaker Shyam Benegal proposed a significant change in the functioning of the CBFC. The committee was established by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in January 2016. It stated that some objectives in the 1991 guidelines, including the requirement for 'sensitivity to societal values' and providing 'clean and healthy entertainment,' were beyond the purview of the CBFC.
The committee recommended that the board function primarily as a certification body rather than an entity that regularly demands cuts in films. It also proposed splitting the UA category into UA 12+ and UA 15+. The current structure of UA 7+, UA 13+, and UA 16+ follows a similar age-based approach.
What does the current CBFC look like?
Currently, the CBFC comprises an 18-member board formed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Its members include actors and figures from the Indian film industry, such as Pankaja Tripathi, Preeti Jinta, and Rupali Ganguly. The board has also seen a change in leadership. Former Director General of Prasar Bharati, Shashi Shekhar Vempati, was appointed Chairman of the CBFC in May 2026, succeeding Prasun Joshi.
What other laws apply to film certification?
The CBFC guidelines operate alongside a number of existing laws and regulations. These include the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act of 1995; rules regulating tobacco advertising under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) of 2003; the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the Obscene Acts and Dessecration of Women Act of 1986, and the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989, among others. These laws are not part of the new guidelines but continue to apply when the CBFC reviews films for certification.