Full Breakdown
New CBFC Film Certification Guidelines Introduce Statutory Drug Warning and Updated UA Markers
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Revised Certification Rules Unveiled
On September 16, 2026, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) notified revised film-certification guidelines under the Cinematograph Act, amending the rules originally issued in December 1991. The amendment retains existing provisions on violence, obscenity, sexual violence, communal content, national security and public order, while adding two substantive points: a statutory warning for scenes depicting narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances, and clarification of three age-based UA markers (UA 7+, UA 13+, UA 16+).
Background & Context
The 1991 guidelines required that scenes encouraging, justifying or glamorising drug addiction not be shown, but they did not prescribe an on-screen warning. In May 2025, three UA markers were incorporated into the certification rules, and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024 formalised them. The September 2026 revision therefore marks the first amendment to the framework in nearly 35 years. The government also reconstituted the CBFC after nine years, appointing an 18-member board in 2026; the previous full reconstitution occurred in 2017.
Key Figures & Groups
- Ministry of Information and Broadcasting – issued the revised guidelines.
- Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) – statutory authority that enforces the rules.
- Shashi Shekhar Vempati – CBFC chairperson, who highlighted the new UA markers on the social platform X.
- New board members – actors Suniel Shetty, Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Prosenjit Chatterjee; filmmaker Priyadarshan; musician Ricky Kej; television actor Rupali Ganguly, among others.
Data & Statistics
- Three explicit UA age markers: UA 7+, UA 13+, UA 16+.
- Reconstituted CBFC board comprises 18 members, including several prominent film-industry personalities.
Official Statements & Responses
The I&B ministry stated that the CBFC must ensure anti-social activities and violence are not glorified or justified, and that depictions of criminal modus operandi, communal or anti-scientific attitudes, and content that could strain foreign relations are prohibited.
CBFC chairperson Shashi Shekhar Vempati posted on X that filmmakers should highlight the UA markers in promotional material so audiences understand the appropriate age guidance before exposing children to a film.
Why It Matters / Impact
The statutory drug warning creates a uniform visual cue for audiences, potentially influencing how filmmakers portray drug use and trafficking. Clear UA markers give parents and guardians more precise information about age-appropriate content, aligning with the 2024 rule changes. Retaining existing prohibitions on violence, obscenity and communal content signals continued governmental oversight of cinematic narratives, while the addition of the drug warning reflects heightened sensitivity to substance-related messaging.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No source provides quantitative data on how many films will be affected by the new drug warning or on industry compliance timelines. Further clarification from the CBFC on enforcement mechanisms is absent.
What’s Next
The revised guidelines are now in effect; filmmakers must incorporate the statutory warning where required and adjust promotional materials to display the appropriate UA marker. The CBFC is expected to apply the rules to upcoming film releases, though specific enforcement dates have not been announced.