The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has issued new film certification guidelines for the first time in nearly 35 years, retaining most existing provisions while introducing a specific warning for films depicting narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The guidelines also reiterate age-based UA markers for parental guidance, which were incorporated into the framework in 2025.
The only technically new substantive provision in the September 16 guidelines relates to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. The 1991 guidelines said scenes that tended to encourage, justify or glamorise drug addiction should not be shown. He wrote, “Film makers need to highlight these markers in promotional material so that these are clearly understood by the audiences before exposing children to a film.
The new guidelines instead specifically cover scenes depicting or involving the consumption, use or trafficking of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances. CBFC chairperson Shashi Shekhar Vempati took to X to specifically highlight the age markers. Speaking to HT, he explained why the markers have been specifically highlighted in the new guidelines despite already being part of the certification rules.
“Reinforcing their importance and creating awareness both within the industry and broader society,” he said.
The new board includes actors Suniel Shetty, Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi and Prosenjit Chatterjee, filmmaker Priyadarshan, musician Ricky Kej and television actor Rupali Ganguly, among others. The guidelines come days after the government reconstituted the CBFC after nine years, appointing an 18-member board. The previous full board reconstitution took place in 2017. 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.
Earlier reporting noted: CBFC’s new film certification guidelines: Statutory warning for scenes on drug use 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. Earlier reporting noted: 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.
