The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) on September 21, 2026, issued the Guidelines for Film Certification.
The following has been stated:
• The Government has issued revised principles to guide the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) while certifying films for public exhibition, superseding the earlier notification dated December 6, 1991. The guidelines aim to balance creative freedom with social responsibility, ensure films are sensitive to societal values, responsive to social change, and maintain appropriate aesthetic and cinematic standards.
• The CBFC is required to ensure that films do not glorify violence, criminal activities, drug addiction, tobacco use, drinking, cruelty, or sexual violence, and do not contain content that degrades women, children, persons with disabilities, animals, or particular racial/religious groups. Films shall also avoid content that threatens sovereignty and integrity of India, national security, public order, friendly relations with foreign States, or contains defamation/contempt of court. Consumption, use or trafficking of narcotic drugs/psychotropic substances shall carry the prescribed statutory warning.
• Films are to be assessed in their entirety, considering their overall impact, the period depicted and contemporary standards. Films unsuitable for non-adults may be restricted to adult audiences. For unrestricted exhibition, the CBFC may apply U/A 7+, U/A 13+ and U/A 16+ classifications where parental guidance is considered necessary, while films may also be restricted to specified specialised audiences. Film titles shall additionally be scrutinised to ensure they are not provocative, vulgar, offensive or otherwise inconsistent with the certification guidelines.
[Notification No. - M-11021/20/2026-DO(FC)]
