India’s film certification process is entering another phase of change, with the Central Board of Film Certification introducing revised guidelines for films seeking certification. Notified by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on September 16 under the Cinematograph Act, the updated rules bring a specific new requirement for movies depicting narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances. Alongside the drug-related change, the guidelines reiterate restrictions covering violence, sensitive subjects, communal content and material that could affect India’s relations with other countries.
The revised framework comes at the same time as the Centre has reconstituted the CBFC with a new 18-member board. The changes therefore affect both the rules filmmakers are expected to follow and the panel responsible for overseeing certification. Among the most noticeable additions is the introduction of a compulsory on-screen warning whenever films show the consumption, use or trafficking of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.
Anti-Drug Warning Becomes Mandatory
One of the clearest changes in the revised CBFC guidelines concerns the depiction of drugs on screen. Films showing the consumption, use or trafficking of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances will now have to carry a specific warning during such scenes. The mandatory message reads: “Illicit Narcotics Destroy Health and Guarantees Imprisonment. Say No to Drugs.”
Previously, the certification rules focused on preventing films from promoting, justifying or glamorising drug addiction. However, the earlier framework did not require filmmakers to display a standard warning whenever drugs appeared in a movie. The revised guidelines now turn that warning into an official certification requirement.
The change means filmmakers depicting drug-related material will have an additional certification consideration when preparing their films. The new requirement also follows similar advisories that were issued for OTT platforms and private satellite television channels. For productions involving drug use as part of the story, the way those scenes are presented will therefore remain an important part of the certification process.
The revised rules also reiterate that violence should not be glorified or presented in a way that could encourage viewers to commit offences. Films are also expected to avoid explaining criminal methods or processes in detail when such depictions could potentially promote similar acts.
Communal Content, Violence And Foreign Relations
The updated guidelines also retain provisions concerning material that could influence social attitudes or India’s relationship with other countries. Content that promotes “communal, obscurantist, anti-scientific or anti-national attitudes” is specifically mentioned in the rules. The guidelines further state that films should not “strain India’s friendly relations with foreign states.”
Another consideration for the board is whether particular scenes could hurt the “sentiments or sensibilities of people.” The guidelines specifically refer to depictions involving child abuse and crimes against women, while also cautioning against violence that does not have a clear purpose within the story.
These provisions place attention not only on what a film depicts but also on how certain material is presented. Violence that contributes to the narrative remains different from violence presented without a clear storytelling purpose under the revised framework. Similarly, scenes involving sensitive subjects can come under closer consideration where the board believes they may affect public sentiments or sensibilities.
The foreign-relations provision could also become relevant to films dealing with international conflicts or politically sensitive subjects. The guidelines specifically mention India’s friendly relations with foreign states, making this an area filmmakers will need to consider when their stories involve other countries.
CBFC To Examine Film Titles Too
The changes are not limited to scenes and subject matter. The CBFC is also expected to pay closer attention to film titles under the revised guidelines. Titles considered “provocative, vulgar or offensive” can be flagged by the board.
That gives the certification process another point of scrutiny before a film reaches audiences. A title is often the first thing viewers encounter when a movie is announced, and the revised guidelines make clear that the board can consider the nature of the title as part of its certification-related review.
The broader rules also continue to address the treatment of sensitive material. Filmmakers dealing with subjects such as crime, violence, child abuse or crimes against women will have to consider how those themes are presented rather than treating their inclusion as a purely narrative decision.
New 18-Member CBFC Board Announced
The revised certification guidelines arrive alongside the appointment of a new 18-member CBFC board. Shashi Shekhar Vempati will continue as the CBFC chairperson, while the new panel includes actors, filmmakers, musicians, producers, writers and other figures from the creative sector.
The members include Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty, Pallavi Joshi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, filmmaker Priyadarshan and Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej. The panel also includes filmmaker Neela Madhab Panda, actor Manoj Joshi, singer and former parliamentarian Hans Raj Hans, producer Supriya Yarlagadda, poet Yatindra Mishra, actors Roopali Ganguly and Nishigandha Wad, theatre director Waman Kendre and writer Ramesh Patange.
The new board will have a three-year term unless the Centre issues further orders before that period ends. Its formation therefore accompanies the revised rules at a time when the certification framework is receiving renewed attention.
For filmmakers, the practical impact will depend on how these guidelines are applied during certification. The rules set out several areas that can receive scrutiny, ranging from drug depictions and violence to titles, sensitive subjects and material concerning India’s relations with other countries.
Age Categories And Accessibility Also Part Of The Changes
The CBFC’s certification system has already undergone other changes in recent years. Three new age categories — U/A 7+, U/A 13+ and U/A 16+ — were introduced in May 2025 following the 2023 amendments to the Cinematograph Act. These categories were designed to provide parents with clearer information about whether a film may be suitable for children below the specified age groups.
Accessibility has also become part of the certification process. From March 15, 2026, Indian films were required to include subtitles and audio descriptions to make content more accessible to viewers with hearing or visual impairments.
The accessibility requirement has itself attracted criticism from some viewers, who questioned the way it could affect the viewing experience. Some social media users described it as a “distraction” and said it “ruins the viewing experience.” These reactions form part of the wider discussion around how certification requirements can affect the final presentation of films.
With the latest guidelines, the CBFC framework now covers several different aspects of filmmaking, from the depiction of drugs and violence to titles, age suitability and accessibility. The revised rules also arrive alongside a newly appointed board, giving the current certification system a combination of updated requirements and new members.
CBFC New Rules FAQs
What is the biggest change in the new CBFC rules?
One of the biggest changes is the introduction of a mandatory on-screen warning for films depicting the consumption, use or trafficking of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.
What warning must appear in films showing drugs?
The revised guidelines require the message: “Illicit Narcotics Destroy Health and Guarantees Imprisonment. Say No to Drugs.”
Can the CBFC flag film titles?
Yes. The revised guidelines state that titles considered “provocative, vulgar or offensive” can be flagged by the board.
What do the new rules say about violence?
The guidelines state that violence should not be glorified or presented in a manner that could encourage people to commit offences. They also caution against explaining criminal methods in detail when doing so could promote similar acts.
What are the new CBFC age categories?
The certification system introduced U/A 7+, U/A 13+ and U/A 16+ categories in May 2025 following the 2023 amendments to the Cinematograph Act.
What accessibility requirements apply to Indian films?
From March 15, 2026, Indian films were required to include subtitles and audio descriptions to make content more accessible to viewers with hearing or visual impairments.
