CBFC Updates Film Certification Rules After 35 Years, Adds Drug Warning and Clarifies Parental Guidance Markers
· Entertainment · Hindustan Times, Indian Express
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has released updated 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 new guidelines, issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on September 16, 2026, mandate a warning label—'Illicit Narcotics Destroy Health and Guarantees Imprisonment. Say No to Drugs'—for scenes involving drug consumption, use, or trafficking. Additionally, the CBFC has reinforced age-based UA markers (UA 7+, UA 13+, UA 16+) for parental guidance, which were previously introduced in 2024 but now receive explicit emphasis in promotional materials. The rest of the 1991 framework, covering violence, obscenity, sexual violence, and communal content, remains unchanged. CBFC chairperson Shashi Shekhar Vempati highlighted the importance of these markers to ensure awareness among filmmakers and audiences.
Why it matters
Filmmakers and parents will need to adapt to the stricter enforcement of drug-related warnings and clearer age-based guidance, which could influence content creation and audience access. The guidelines directly impact the Indian film industry by setting new standards for responsible storytelling and viewer protection, particularly concerning substance use in cinema.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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