Central Board of Film Certification

{{Short description|Film certification body of India}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Use Indian English|date=August 2021}} {{About|the Indian film classification board|the Pakistani counterpart|Central Board of Film Censors|other uses|CBFC (disambiguation){{!}}CBFC}} {{Infobox government agency | name = Central Board of Film Certification | native_name = CBFC | native_name_a = | native_name_r = | type = Film Certification Body | seal = | seal_size = | seal_caption = | seal_alt = | logo = Central Board of Film Certification.png | logo_size = 220px | logo_caption = | logo_alt = | image = | image_size = | image_caption = | image_alt = | formed = {{Start date and age|1951|01|15|df=y}} | preceding1 = | preceding2 =  | dissolved = | superseding1 = | superseding2 =  | agency_type = | jurisdiction = India | status = | headquarters = Mumbai, Maharashtra | coordinates =  | motto = | employees = | budget = | chief1_name = Shashi Shekhar Vempati | chief1_position = Chairperson | chief2_name = | chief2_position =  | parent_department = | parent_agency = Ministry of Information and Broadcasting | parent_agency_type =  | keydocument1 = Cinematograph Act, 1952 | website = {{website|cbfcindia.gov.in}} }}

The '''Central Board of Film Certification''' ('''CBFC''') is a statutory film-certification body in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India. It is tasked with "regulating the public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/main/|title=Welcome to CBFC|website=cbfcindia.gov.in|access-date=17 February 2020|archive-date=17 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117035117/https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/main/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Cinematograph Act 1952 outlines a strict certification process for commercial films shown in public venues. Films screened in cinemas and on television may only be publicly exhibited in India after certification by the board and edited.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/manipur/story/cbfc-film-certification-enforcement-manipur-cinematograph-act-1233738-2025-06-24|title=CBFC urges Manipur government to enforce Cinematograph Act 1952|date=24 June 2025 |access-date=10 September 2025 }}</ref>

== Certificates and guidelines ==  {{multiple image|perrow=3|caption_align=center|header_align=center | width = 50 | image1 = CBFC U (2020).svg | alt1 = U | image2 = CBFC UA (2020).svg | alt2 = UA | image3 = CBFC A (2020).svg | alt3 = A | footer = Film-certificate categories }} The board currently issues four certificates. Originally, there were two: U (unrestricted public exhibition with family-friendly movies) and A (restricted to adult audiences but any kind of nudity not allowed). Two more were added in June 1983 that are U/A (unrestricted public exhibition, with parental guidance for children under 12) and S (restricted to specialised audiences, such as doctors or scientists).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/ua-s-x-r-demystified-how-films-are-rated-376237.html |title=UA, S, X, R demystified: How films are rated |last=Jhinuk Sen |date=15 June 2011 |website=News18 |publisher=Network18 Group |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616081848/https://www.news18.com/news/india/ua-s-x-r-demystified-how-films-are-rated-376237.html |archive-date=16 June 2019}}</ref> The board may refuse to certify a film.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Censor board denied certification to 77 films in 2015–16|url=https://www.livemint.com/Consumer/CThHt0ZPEGJcG4iA5Ym8AO/Censor-board-denied-certification-to-77-films-in-201516.html|last1=Jha|first1=Lata|last2=Ahluwalia|first2=Harveen|date=17 March 2017|website=Livemint|access-date=14 May 2020|archive-date=24 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724224911/https://www.livemint.com/Consumer/CThHt0ZPEGJcG4iA5Ym8AO/Censor-board-denied-certification-to-77-films-in-201516.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, V/U, V/UA, V/A are used for video films with U, U/A and A carrying the same meaning as above.<ref>{{cite web |title=Certification |url=https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/main/certification.html |website=cbfcindia.gov.in |access-date=6 June 2022 |archive-date=29 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529000643/https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/main/certification.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Variations of the U/A certificate were introduced in November 2024: U/A 7+, U/A 13+ and U/A 16+.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-15 |title=UA 7+, 13+, 16+: Censor Board introduces new film certification categories |url=https://www.dtnext.in/news/national/ua-7-13-16-censor-board-introduces-new-film-certification-categories-811299 |access-date=2025-05-31 |website=DT Next |language=en}}</ref>

=== U certificate === Films with the U certification are fit for unrestricted public exhibition and are family-friendly. These films can contain universal themes like education, family, drama, romance, sci-fi, action etc. These films can also contain some mild violence, but it cannot be prolonged. It may also contain very mild sexual scenes ('''without any traces of nudity or sexual detail''').

=== U/A certificate === Films with the U/A certification can contain moderate adult themes that are not strong in nature and are not considered appropriate to be watched by a child without parental guidance. These films may contain moderate to strong violence, moderate sexual scenes (traces of nudity and moderate sexual detail can be found), frightening scenes, blood flow, or muted abusive language. Sometimes such films are re-certified with V/U for video viewing. The age threshold was previously set at 12 years of age, but in 2024 this was further refined to 7, 13 and 16 years of age.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cinematograph (Amendment) Act 2023 |publisher=Ministry of Law and Justice |location=India |url=https://prsindia.org/files/bills_acts/acts_parliament/2023/Cinematograph_(Amendment)_Act,_2023.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815062151/https://prsindia.org/files/bills_acts/acts_parliament/2023/Cinematograph_(Amendment)_Act,_2023.pdf |archive-date=15 August 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> * '''UA 7+''' – Unrestricted public exhibition, but with parental guidance for children below the age of 7 years and appropriate above the age of seven. * '''UA 13+''' – Unrestricted public exhibition, but with parental guidance for children below the age of 13 years. * '''UA 16+''' – Unrestricted public exhibition, but with parental guidance for children below the age of 16 years.

=== A certificate === Films with the A certification are available for public exhibition only for adults (18+). These films can contain strong violence, explicit and strong sexual scenes, abusive language, but words which insult or degrade women, men or any social group are not allowed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/cbfc-it-again-malayalam-film-asked-cut-out-nudity-and-mute-kazhuveriyude-mone-45164?amp|title=CBFC at it again: Malayalam film asked to cut out nudity and mute Kazhuveriyude Mone|website=thenewsminute|date=20 June 2016|access-date=2 June 2022|archive-date=26 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026163355/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/cbfc-it-again-malayalam-film-asked-cut-out-nudity-and-mute-kazhuveriyude-mone-45164?amp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Consumer/1jhytL84dGCvm8G1vAtPFL/Nudity-the-final-frontier-for-films-in-India.html|title=Nudity, the final frontier for films in India|website=livemint|date=28 January 2014|access-date=2 June 2022|archive-date=13 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413065747/https://www.livemint.com/Consumer/1jhytL84dGCvm8G1vAtPFL/Nudity-the-final-frontier-for-films-in-India.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Child |first1=Ben |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/mar/05/fifty-shades-of-grey-banned-in-india-despite-removal-of-nudity|title=Fifty Shades of Grey banned in India despite removal of nudity|website=theguadian.com |date=5 March 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/censor-board-bans-unfreedom-says-film-will-ignite-unnatural-passions-20933?amp|title=Censor Board bans Unfreedom, says film will 'ignite unnatural passions'|website=The News Minute|date= 31 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-cbfc-bans-computer-generated-nudity-2549889/amp|title=CBFC bans computer-generated nudity|website=Dna India|access-date=28 May 2022|archive-date=26 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026163404/https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-cbfc-bans-computer-generated-nudity-2549889/amp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/cbfc-reportedly-bans-film-titled-x-zone-due-to-graphic-love-making-scenes-nudity-4027513.html|title=CBFC reportedly bans film titled X Zone due to graphic love making scenes, nudity|website=Firstspot|date= 10 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.india.com/viral/sanskari-cbfc-bans-nudity-on-robots-blurs-alcohol-bottles-from-blade-runner-2049-but-allows-swear-words-2512585/|title=Sanskari CBFC Bans Nudity on Robots & Blurs Alcohol Bottles From Blade Runner 2049 But Allows Swear Words|website=India.com|date=3 October 2017|access-date=27 May 2022|archive-date=26 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026163403/https://www.india.com/viral/sanskari-cbfc-bans-nudity-on-robots-blurs-alcohol-bottles-from-blade-runner-2049-but-allows-swear-words-2512585/|url-status=live}}</ref> Controversial, adult or suggestive themes are considered unsuitable for young viewers. Such films are often re-certified with V/U and V/UA for TV, which does not happen in the case of U and U/A certified movies.<ref name="Certification"/>

=== S certificate === Films with S certification cannot be viewed by the public. Only people associated with it (doctors, scientists, etc.) are permitted to view these films.<ref name="Certification">{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/main/about-us.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213125751/https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/main/about-us.html |archive-date=13 December 2018 |access-date=14 March 2020 |website=Indian Board of Film Certification}}</ref>

== History == The Indian Cinematograph Act came into effect in 1920<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bhaskarenglish.in/entertainment/news/how-films-get-censor-board-approval-in-india-134484681.html|title=How films get Censor Board approval in India:From 68-Day process to court battles, the complete story behind 'Udta Punjab' controversy and CBFC's limited powers|date=16 February 2025 |access-date=10 September 2025 }}</ref> , seven years after the production of India's first film: Dadasaheb Phalke's ''Raja Harishchandra''. Censorship boards were originally independent bodies under the police chiefs of the cities of Madras (now Chennai), Bombay (now Mumbai), Calcutta (now Kolkata), Lahore (now in Pakistan), and Rangoon (now Yangon in Myanmar) it was amended again on 1 August 2023 with the introduction of Cinematography Amendment Bill. The bill awaits presidential assent.

After the 1947 independence of India, autonomous regional censors were absorbed into the '''Bombay Board of Film Censors'''. The Cinematograph Act of 1952 reorganised the Bombay board into the '''Central Board of Film Censors'''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Cinematograph Act, 1952 and Rules {{!}} Ministry of Information and Broadcasting {{!}} Government of India|url=https://www.mib.gov.in/acts/cinematograph-act-1952-and-rules|access-date=19 January 2021|website=www.mib.gov.in}}</ref> With the 1983 revision of cinematography rules, the body was renamed the Central Board of Film Certification.<ref name="CBFC">{{cite web |url=http://cbfcindia.gov.in/html/uniquepage.aspx?unique_page_id=6 |title=Background |work=CBFC Website |publisher=Central Board of Film Certification |access-date=9 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826234425/http://cbfcindia.gov.in/html/uniquepage.aspx?unique_page_id=6 |archive-date=26 August 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2021 the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) was scrapped by the Indian government.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ramachandran|first=Naman|date=7 April 2021|title=Indian Government Quietly Scraps Censorship Appeals Body|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/india-scraps-censorship-appeals-body-1234945516/|access-date=8 April 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=With Abolition of Film Certificate Tribunal, Bad Days for Filmmakers Will Become Worse|url=https://thewire.in/film/abolition-film-certificate-apellate-tribunal-filmmakers-censorship|access-date=8 April 2021|website=The Wire|archive-date=8 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408064837/https://thewire.in/film/abolition-film-certificate-apellate-tribunal-filmmakers-censorship|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Principles == The board's guiding principles are to ensure healthy public entertainment and education and, using modern technology, to make the certification process and board activities transparent to filmmakers, the media and the public also every video have to undergo CBFC certification for telecasting or distributing over any platform in India and suggestible same standards for anywhere in the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vision & Mission |url=https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/main/vision-and-mission.html |website=Central Board of Film Certification |access-date=14 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808182058/https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/main/vision-and-mission.html |archive-date=8 August 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Refusal to certify == In addition to the certifications above, there is also the possibility of the board refusing to certify the film at all.

The board's guidelines are: * Anti-social activities (such as violence) may not be glorified. * Any Controversial topics * Criminal acts may not be depicted. * The following is prohibited: **a) Involvement of children in violent acts or abuse. **b) Abuse or ridicule of the physically or mentally handicapped. **c) Unnecessary depictions of cruelty to animals. * Gratuitous violence, cruelty, or horror. * No scenes encouraging alcohol consumption, drug addiction or smoking. * No vulgarity, obscenity, depravity or double entendres. * No scenes degrading women (despite many sexist movies being certified), including sexual violence (as much as possible). * No denigration by race, religion or other social group. * No promotion of sectarian, obscurantist, anti-scientific and anti-national attitudes. * Relations with foreign countries should not be affected. * No national symbols or emblems, except in accordance with the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 (12 of 1950).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/main/guidelines.html |title=Guidelines |website=Indian Board of Film Certification |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809045338/https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/main/guidelines.html |archive-date=9 August 2019 |access-date=14 March 2020}}</ref>

== Enforcement == Since 2004, censorship has been rigorously enforced. An incident was reported in which exhibitor staff – a clerk who sold the ticket, the usher, a theatre manager and the partners of the theatre complex – were arrested for non-compliance with certification rules for allowing minors to watch the Tamil language film 7/G Rainbow Colony which received A rating after certification.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/minors-caught-watching-7-grainbow-colony-news-tamil-kkfvDLihebfsi.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903115545/http://www.sify.com/movies/minors-caught-watching-7-grainbow-colony-news-tamil-kkfvDLihebfsi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 September 2017|title=Minors caught watching "7-GRainbow Colony"|website=Sify}}</ref>

== Criticism == CBFC faces criticism for arbitrary censorship, demanding cuts in films touching on caste, mythology, politics, and sensitive events like Gujarat riots in Empuraan. Filmmakers criticize increased "censorship raj", outdated laws like Cinematograph Act of 1952, and unimplemented Shyam Benegal reforms for age-based ratings.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-27 |title=Rang De Basanti turns 20: Poet Prasoon Joshi once wrote anti-establishment anthems; is now the establishment himself |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/rang-de-basanti-turns-20-poet-prasoon-joshi-wrote-anti-establishment-anthems-now-chairperson-of-cbfc-10490862/ |access-date=2026-01-30 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-25 |title=Disquiet in film board: ‘Censorship raj’, no meeting in 6 years, no reports, term lapsed |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/express-exclusive/disquiet-in-film-board-censorship-raj-no-meeting-in-6-years-no-reports-term-lapsed-10269755/ |access-date=2026-05-10 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Film producers reportedly bribe the CBFC to obtain a U/A certificate, which entitles them to a 30-percent reduction in entertainment tax.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 August 2014 |title=Tamil Nadu film producers grease palms to get 'UA' certificates |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Tamil-Nadu-film-producers-grease-palms-to-get-U-certificates/articleshow/40437673.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003054905/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Tamil-Nadu-film-producers-grease-palms-to-get-U-certificates/articleshow/40437673.cms |archive-date=3 October 2016 |access-date=8 July 2016 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> The CBFC has been criticized for refusing to certify movies to prevent damaging India's relationship with other countries such as, investigative documentary No Fire Zone: In the Killing Fields of Sri Lanka<ref>{{cite web |date=21 February 2014 |title='No Fire Zone' documentary banned in India |url=https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/%E2%80%98no-fire-zone%E2%80%99-documentary-banned-india |accessdate=6 July 2021 |publisher=Tamil Guardian}}</ref> and movies ''Porkalathil Oru Poo''<ref>{{cite web |date=26 May 2015 |title=No censor certificate for Tamil film on Lankan TV journalist |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-cinema/no-censor-certificate-for-tamil-film-on-lankan-tv-journalist/story-EZJOMq9NoBbqz3hWZIHwuK.html |accessdate=6 July 2021 |work=Gautaman Bhaskaran |publisher=Hindustan Times}}</ref> and Neelam,<ref>{{cite web |date=28 October 2017 |title=Tamil film 'Neelam' on Sri Lankan civil war denied certification |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/oct/28/tamil-film-neelam-on-sri-lankan-civil-war-denied-certification-1685292.html |accessdate=6 July 2021 |publisher=The New Indian Express}}</ref> in view of protecting India-Sri Lanka relationship.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-02-22 |title=CBFC refuses to certify film on Sri Lankan war |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cbfc-refuses-to-certify-film-on-sri-lankan-war/article5717208.ece |access-date=2026-05-10 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Anonymous |date=2016-03-06 |title=Indian censors more worried about Sri Lankan film than Lanka’s own! |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/indian-censors-more-worried-about-sri-lankan-film-than-lanka-s-own/story-YSWiDdnH1VVOztCp0jErQM.html |access-date=2026-05-10 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> It has also been criticized for acting in favor of corporate entities, for example CBFC's denial of certification for "Charlie and the Coca Cola Company: Quit India" in 2016, accusing the cola companies of abusing ground water, land, livelihoods, rivers, and the laws of the land.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-09-18 |title=Censor Board Refuses to Clear ‘Political’ Film about Coca Cola – The Wire Science |url=https://science.thewire.in/politics/rights/censor-board-wont-let-see-film-coca-cola/ |access-date=2026-05-09 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{Official website|http://cbfcindia.gov.in/}}

Category:1952 establishments in Bombay State Category:Censorship in India Category:Certification marks * * Category:Film organisations in India Category:Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India) Category:Motion picture rating systems Category:Government agencies established in 1952 Category:Entertainment rating organizations