CBFC revises film certification guidelines after 35 years; warning mandatory for drug-related scenes

NEW DELHI: Films depicting the consumption, use or trafficking of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances will now be required to carry a statutory warning under the revised film certification guidelines issued by the Centre.

The warning must read: “Illicit Narcotics Destroy Health and Guarantees Imprisonment. Say No to Drugs.”

The revised guidelines were issued on September 16, nearly 35 years after the previous guidelines were notified on December 6, 1991.

The revised guidelines retain several existing provisions concerning violence, obscenity, sexual violence, communal content, national security and other grounds for film certification, while introducing a specific warning requirement for scenes involving narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Chairman Shashi Shekhar Vempati urged filmmakers to read the guidelines carefully before applying for film certification. He also called on film organisations to create awareness about the revised guidelines among members of the film industry.

Age-based certification

The certification framework includes three age-based UA markers:

• UA 7+ — Parental guidance is advised for children below seven years of age.
• UA 13+ — Parental guidance is advised for children below 13 years of age.
• UA 16+ — Parental guidance is advised for children below 16 years of age.

The UA 7+, UA 13+ and UA 16+ markers are not new provisions introduced by the September 2026 guidelines. They were introduced through the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 and subsequently incorporated into the film certification guidelines.

The CBFC currently lists U, UA 7+, UA 13+, UA 16+, A and S among its certification categories.