New CBFC Film Certification Rules: Drug Warnings, Violence Curbs and Age Ratings
India’s revised CBFC guidelines introduce mandatory drug warnings, tighter rules on violence and sensitive content, and retain the U/A 7+, U/A 13+ and U/A 16+ age categories.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has notified revised guidelines for film certification, bringing tighter provisions for depictions of drugs, violence, sexual violence, child abuse and other sensitive subjects. The new rules, notified on September 18, replace the previous framework issued in 1991.
Under the revised guidelines, films showing the consumption or trafficking of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances must carry a statutory warning stating: “Illicit narcotics destroy health and guarantees imprisonment. Say No To Drugs”. Films are also barred from justifying or glorifying drinking, drug addiction or tobacco use.
The guidelines further direct the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to ensure that violence and anti-social activities are not glorified or justified. Depictions of sexual violence, abuse of children, cruelty towards animals and degrading portrayals of women should either be avoided or kept to the minimum necessary for the story.
The rules also cover content involving religion, communities, people with disabilities, courts and national interests, including material considered contemptuous, provocative or damaging to India's sovereignty and security.
The revised framework retains the age-based U/A categories introduced in 2025: U/A 7+, U/A 13+ and U/A 16+. The CBFC will also scrutinise film titles for potentially provocative, vulgar or offensive content.
So yes, Bollywood's “anything goes” era just got a fresh set of terms and conditions.
