Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Members, Roles and Functions

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) was reconstituted by the Government of India on 16 September 2026 with 18 members for a period of three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The reconstitution was carried out under Section 3(1) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, read with Rule 3 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024.

What is the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)?

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting responsible for regulating the public exhibition of films in India under the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

Films intended for public exhibition in India are required to obtain certification from the CBFC. The Board examines films and grants certificates based on the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, and the guidelines issued by the Central Government.

The CBFC is headquartered in Mumbai and has nine Regional Offices located at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Cuttack and Guwahati. These Regional Offices are assisted by Advisory Panels, whose members are nominated by the Central Government to assist in the examination of films.

Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Composition

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) consists of a Chairperson and other members appointed by the Central Government under the Cinematograph Act, 1952. The Board was reconstituted on 16 September 2026 with 18 members for a period of three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The 18 members of the reconstituted Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) are:

Vinod Anupam, Manoj Joshi, Abhishek Jain, Ricky Kej, Priyadarshan, Suniel Shetty, Hansraj Hans, Supriya Yarlagadda, Yatindra Mishra, Roopali Ganguly, Preity Zinta, Neela Madhab Panda, Pankaj Tripathi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Pallavi Joshi, Nishigandha Wad, Waman Kendre and Ramesh Patange.

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Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Legal Basis

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) functions primarily under the following legal framework:

• Cinematograph Act, 1952: Provides the statutory basis for film certification and the constitution and functioning of the CBFC.
• Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024: Provide the current procedural framework for film certification and replaced the earlier 1983 Rules.
• Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act: Lays down the principles governing certification of films.
• Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution: Protects freedom of speech and expression, while Article 19(2) permits reasonable restrictions on specified grounds.

How Does the CBFC Certify Films?

The film-certification process involves examination of a film before it is publicly exhibited.

1. Application: The producer or applicant submits the film for certification through the prescribed process.
2. Examination: The film is examined by the designated examining body in accordance with the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the 2024 Rules and Central Government guidelines.
3. Assessment: The content is assessed against the applicable certification principles, including considerations under Section 5B.
4. Modifications, if required: Where necessary, the applicant may be required to make prescribed modifications or excisions.
5. Certification: After the requirements are satisfied, the appropriate certificate is issued.

The certification process is supported by e-Cinepramaan, the online film-certification system designed to make the process more transparent and technology-enabled.

Principles Governing Film Certification

Under Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, film certification is governed by considerations relating to the following:

• Sovereignty and integrity of India
• Security of the State
• Friendly relations with foreign States
• Public order
• Decency or morality
• Defamation
• Contempt of court
• Incitement to the commission of an offence

These principles provide the statutory framework for regulating the public exhibition of films and operate within the constitutional framework of freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) and the reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2).

Film Certification Categories

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) grants films certification under different categories:

• U: Unrestricted public exhibition.
• UA 7+: Unrestricted public exhibition with a parental guidance marker for children below seven years.
• UA 13+: Unrestricted public exhibition with a parental guidance marker for children below thirteen years.
• UA 16+: Unrestricted public exhibition with a parental guidance marker for children below sixteen years.
• A: Restricted to adults.
• S: Restricted to members of a particular profession or class.

The age-based UA 7+, UA 13+ and UA 16+ markers were introduced through the revised certification framework.