Centre notifies revised CBFC certification rules with mandatory drug warning
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has notified revised CBFC film certification guidelines, adding a statutory anti-drug warning and tightening norms on violence, women and child depiction.
The central government has notified revised guidelines for film certification by the Central Board of Film Certification, introducing a mandatory on-screen statutory warning for scenes involving narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued the revised guidelines on September 16, 2026, under the Cinematograph Act, amending rules first notified in December 1991.
Under the new norms, any scene showing the consumption or trafficking of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances must carry the warning: “Illicit narcotics destroy health and guarantees imprisonment. Say No To Drugs”.
The guidelines also bar the depiction of scenes that justify or glorify drinking, drug addiction or tobacco consumption.
This marks a shift from the earlier framework, which required the CBFC to ensure that content tending to encourage, justify or glamorise drug addiction was not shown, but did not mandate a specific on-screen warning.
Violence, women and children
The notification directs the board to ensure that anti-social activities such as violence are neither glorified nor justified, noting that cinema remains responsible and sensitive to the values and standards of society.
Scenes that degrade women in any manner, including sexual violence or any form of molestation, are not to be presented. Where such content is relevant to the theme, it must be reduced to the minimum and shown without detail.
On child artistes, the guidelines caution against depicting children involved in violence — as victims, perpetrators or forced witnesses — or subjected to any form of abuse. The board must also guard against needless depiction of abuse or ridicule of persons with physical and mental disabilities, and against cruelty or abuse of animals.
Other provisions require that the sovereignty and integrity of India is not called into question and that the security of the State is not jeopardised. Scenes tending to create scorn, disgrace or disregard for the rules, or to undermine the dignity of the court, are also prohibited.
Age-based categories
The guidelines were last amended in May 2025, when the government incorporated age-based classifications. Content suitable for children aged seven and under, or for those under seven with parental guidance, is classified ‘U/A 7+’. Content suitable for children aged 13 and above, or under 13 with parental guidance, is classified ‘U/A 13+’. Content suitable for those aged 16 and above, or under 16 with parental guidance, is classified ‘U/A 16+’.
The board has additionally been instructed to scrutinise film titles to ensure they are not provocative, vulgar, offensive or in violation of any guidelines.