CBFC’s new film certification guidelines: Statutory warning for scenes on drug use

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The central government has notified revised guidelines for film certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), that mandates a statutory warning for scenes showing drug use/trafficking, among others. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting notified the revised guidelines on September 16, 2026, under the Cinematograph Act amending the rules notified in December 1991.

The guidelines stipulate that the scenes involving consumption or trafficking of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances are accompanied by the statutory warning: ‘Illicit narcotics destroy health and guarantees imprisonment. Say No To Drugs’. Under the revised guidelines, scenes justifying or glorifying drinking or drug addiction or tobacco consumption should also not be shown.

The move marks a change from the earlier certification guidelines, which required the CBFC to ensure that scenes tending to “encourage, justify or glamorise drug addiction” were not shown, but did not prescribe such a specific on-screen warning.

The notification further states that the CBFC should ensure that anti-social activities such as violence are not glorified or justified, while pointing out that medium of film remains responsible and sensitive to the values and standards of society.

It should also be ensured that scenes degrading women in any manner are not presented, including sexual violence or any form of molestation. If relevant to the theme, such scenes should be reduced to the minimum, and no details are shown.

Regarding child artistes, the notification cautions against showing involvement of children in violence as victims or as perpetrators or as forced witnesses to violence or showing children are being subjected to any form of child abuse. It also needs to ensure that there no needless depiction of abuse or ridicule of physically and mentally handicapped people and showing cruelty or abuse of animals.

The sovereignty and integrity of India is not called into question and that the security of the State is not jeopardised or endangered are among the guidelines on the notification. Scenes that tend to create scorn, disgrace or disregard of rules of undermine the dignity of court should also not be depicted

The guidelines were last amended in May 2025, when the government incorporated the age-based categories:

1. Content suitable for a child aged seven years and under the age of seven with parental guidance should be classified as ‘u/A 7+’

2. Content suitable for a child aged 13 years and above and under the age of 13 with parental guidance should be classified as ‘U/A13+’

3.Content suitable for a child aged 16 years and above, and under the age of 16 years with parental guidance shall be classified as ‘UA/16+’

The board has also been instructed to scrutinise the titles of the films to ensure that they are not provocative, vulgar, offensive or violative of any guidelines.

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