Indian Central Board of Film Certification (https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/main/)

1. Film Censor Certification
8/2/2019
By Santosh Kumar

2. 8/2/2019

3. IMPORTANT
 Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is a statutory body under Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting, regulating the public exhibition of films under the
provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952.
(An Act to make provision for the certification of cinematograph films for exhibition and
for regulating exhibitions by means of cinematographs. Be it enacted by Parliament as
follows:- PART-I PRELIMINARY Short title, extent and commencement. 1. ( 1)
This Act may be called the Cinematograph Act, 1952.)
 Films can be publicly exhibited in India only after they have been certified by the Central
Board of Film Certification.
 The Board consists of non-official members and a Chairman (all of whom are appointed
by Central Government) and functions with headquarters at Mumbai.
 It has 9 Regional offices, one each at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore,
Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Cuttack and Guwahati.
 The Regional Offices are assisted in the examination of films by Advisory Panels. The
members of the panels are nominated by Central Government by drawing people from
different walks of life for a period of 2 years.
 The Certification process is in accordance with The Cinematograph Act, 1952, The
Cinematograph (certification) Rules, 1983, and the guidelines issued by the Central
government u/s 5 (B)
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4. Present Chairperson-
PRASOON JOSHI (2017
to Present)
First-C.S. AGGARWAL
(1951 to 1954)
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5. VISION & MISSION of CBFC
Vision: To ensure the good and healthy entertainment in accordance
with the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952 and the
Cinematograph (Certification) Rules 1983.
Mission:
• To ensure healthy entertainment, recreation and education to the
public.
• To make the certification process transparent and responsible.
• To create awareness among advisory panel members, media and
film makers about the guidelines for certification and current trend
in films through workshops and meetings.
• To adopt modern technology for certification process through
computerization of certification process and upgradation of
infrastructure.
• To maintain transparency about Board’s activities through voluntary
disclosures, implementation of e-governance, prompt replies to RTI
queries and publication of annual report.
• To develop CBFC as a Centre of Excellence
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6. Categories of Movie
Category Description
U
Films considered suitable for unrestricted public
exhibition
UA
Films which contain portions considered
unsuitable for children below the age of 12, but
otherwise suitable for unrestricted public
exhibition
A
Films considered suitable for exhibition
restricted to adults only
S
Films restricted for exhibition to specialized
audience such as doctors etc.
At present, films are certified under 4 categories: U, UA, A& S.
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7. The Guiding Principles in Certifying Films
The Cinematograph Act lays down that a film shall not
be certified if any part of it is against the interest of
the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of
the State, friendly relations with foreign States,
public order, decency or involves defamation or
contempt of court or is likely to incite commission of
any offence.
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8. The Central Government has issued a detailed list of GUIDELINES,
which include some of the following:
1. anti-social activities such as violence are not glorified or justified
2. the modus operandi of criminals, other visuals or words likely to incite the
commission of any offence are not depicted;
3. scenes -
1. showing the involvement of children in violence as victims or perpetrators or
as forced witnesses to violence, or showing children as being subjected to any
form of child abuse.
2. showing abuse or ridicule of physically and mentally handicapped persons;
and
3. showing cruelty to, or abuse of animals, are not presented needlessly
4. pointless or avoidable scenes of violence, cruelty, and horror, scenes of violence
primarily intended to provide entertainment and such scenes as may have the
effect of de-sensitizing or de-humanizing people are not shown;
5. scenes which have the effect of justifying or glorifying drinking are not shown;
6. scenes tending to encourage, justify or glamorize drug addiction are not shown;
7. scenes tending to encourage, justify or glamorize consumption of tobacco or
smoking are not shown;
8. human sensibilities are not offended by vulgarity, obscenity or depravity;
9. such dual meaning words as obviously cater to baser instincts are not allowed;
10. scenes degrading or denigrating women in any manner are not presented;
11. scenes involving sexual violence against women like attempt to rape, rape or any
form of molestation or scenes of a similar nature are avoided, and if any such
incidence is germane to the theme, they shall be reduced to the minimum and no
details are shown.
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9.  scenes showing sexual perversions shall be avoided and if such
matters are germane to the theme they shall be reduced to the
minimum and no details are shown
 visuals or words contemptuous of racial, religious or other groups
are not presented
 visuals or words which promote communal, obscurantist, anti-
scientific and anti-national attitude are not presented
 the sovereignty and integrity of India is not called in question;
 the security of the State is not jeopardized or endangered
 friendly relations with foreign States are not strained;
 public order is not endangered
 visuals or words involving defamation of an individual or a body of
individuals, or contempt of court are not presented.
EXPLANATION: Scenes that tend to create scorn, disgrace or
disregard of rules or undermine the dignity of court will come
under the term ''Contempt of Court'' : and
 national symbols and emblems are not shown except in
accordance with the provisions of the Emblems and Names
(Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 (12 of 1950)
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10. Other Guidelines
• The Board of Film Certification shall also ensure that
the filmIs judged in its entirety from the point of view
of its overall impact; and
• Is examined in the light of the period depicted in the
films and the contemporary standards of the country
and the people to which the film relates provided that
the film does not affect the morality of the audience
• The Board shall scrutinize the titles of the films
carefully and ensure that they are not provocative,
vulgar, offensive or violative of any of the above-
mentioned guidelines.
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11. The time limits set down for various process of certifications as
per Rule 41 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 are as follows :-
Process Time Limit
Scrutiny of Applications 7 Days
Formation of Examining Committee 15 days
Forwarding the EC Report to Chairman 10 days
Communication of the order to the
applicant
3 days
Surrender of cuts by the producer 14 days
Examination of cuts 14 days
Issue of Certificate 5 days
Total Time Limit 68 days
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18. Continue….CBFC
• Certification
• 1. What everyone should know?
• 2. Freedom of Speech and Expression
• 3. Why is Film Certification Necessary?
• 4. Film Certification in India
• 5. Who does Film Certification?
• 6. What Guides the CBFC in its Decisions?
• 7. The process of certification
• 8. Violations
• 9. Film Posters
• 10. What the Government is doing to Ensure Cleaner Films?
• 11. Penalties for Violations
• 12. Your role in vigilance?
• 13. Your check-list for action
• 14. Conclusion
• Credit goes to @CBFC
• For further information: https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/main/
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