MIB’s Film Certification Guidelines: Here’s What Changes

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (“MIB”) has released revised film certification guidelines that replace the 1991 guidelines. While the revised guidelines largely retain existing provisions, they introduce a mandatory statutory warning for films depicting the use of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.

Background

Films may be publicly exhibited in India only after certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (“CBFC”), a statutory body under the MIB. The certification process is governed by the Cinematograph Act, 1952 (“Act”), the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, and the guidelines issued by the Central Government under Section 5B of the Act.

Under Section 5B(2) of the Act, the Central Government is empowered to issue directions setting out the principles that guide the CBFC in certifying films for public exhibition.

The guidelines issued under this provision have been amended from time to time, with the most recent version prior to the present revision having been issued on 6 December 1991 vide S.O. 836(E).

Key Change: Statutory Warning on Drug Abuse

The revised guidelines introduce a mandatory statutory warning for films depicting or involving the consumption, use or trafficking of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances. The Board must ensure that such scenes are accompanied by the following warning:

‘Illicit Narcotics Destroy Health and Guarantees Imprisonment. Say No to Drugs.’

Apart from this addition, the substantive content of the guidelines remains unchanged from the earlier version.

Earlier Advisories on Drug Abuse Warnings

The revised guidelines are consistent with the MIB’s broader efforts to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse. In August 2026, the MIB issued separate advisories to private satellite television channels and OTT platforms, directing them to display anti-drug-abuse disclaimers during scenes depicting the consumption or use of narcotic drugs. An earlier advisory had also highlighted that Sections 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (“NDPS Act”) penalise offences relating to cannabis, poppy and coca-based narcotic drugs, while Section 27 of the NDPS Act specifically penalises the consumption of any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.

Why Revised Guidelines Instead of an Amendment?

In May 2025, the 1991 guidelines were amended to introduce age-based UA markers — UA 7+, UA 13+ and UA 16+ — reflecting amendments made to the Act by the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023. Rather than issue a further piecemeal amendment, the Government has now reissued the guidelines in their entirety, enabling stakeholders to access a single consolidated version incorporating all prior amendments.

Concluding Thoughts

Although the core certification framework remains unchanged, the revised guidelines — read together with the recent advisories to OTT platforms and private satellite television channels — reflect the Government’s broader objective of raising awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse.