Before any film is shown in Indian cinemas, it must be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The CBFC is a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, set up under the Cinematograph Act, 1952. The certificate appears on screen before the film starts. This guide explains what each CBFC certificate category means.
The certificate categories
For many years, films were certified as U, UA, A or S. The Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023 split the UA category into age based groups. The categories now are:
- U: Unrestricted public exhibition. Suitable for all age groups.
- UA 7+: Unrestricted public exhibition, but parental guidance is advised for children below 7 years.
- UA 13+: Parental guidance advised for children below 13 years.
- UA 16+: Parental guidance advised for children below 16 years.
- A: Restricted to adults, that is, viewers aged 18 and above.
- S: Restricted to special classes of people, such as doctors or scientists, for specialised content.
The UA sub categories guide parents. They are advisory for children with parents, while the A certificate is a legal restriction.
How certification works
The producer applies to the CBFC, now through the online e-cinepramaan portal. An examining committee watches the film. For feature films, a revising committee can also review it if the producer or the board asks for it. The board may grant a certificate, suggest cuts or modifications, or refuse certification under the guidelines in the Act.
Validity of the certificate
Under the 2023 amendment, a CBFC certificate is now valid permanently. Earlier, it was valid for ten years.
Also Read: National Film Awards: How Winners Are Selected, Who Gives Them and What Winners Receive
What about TV and OTT
Content made for television can be re certified for TV broadcast, often with a different category. Streaming platforms do not need CBFC certificates. They follow the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which ask them to self classify content as U, U/A 7+, U/A 13+, U/A 16+ and A.
Piracy provisions
The 2023 amendment also made unauthorised recording and exhibition of films a punishable offence, with jail terms of three months to three years and fines that can go up to five percent of the audited gross production cost.
What it means for viewers
If you are planning a family outing, check the certificate on the poster or on ticketing apps. A UA 13+ film, for instance, may have scenes that parents should explain to younger children.
Bottom line
The CBFC certificate is a quick guide to who a film is meant for. With the new age based UA categories, parents now have more detailed information than before.
Source / स्रोत: Central Board of Film Certification, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023, PIB
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