The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is functioning in accordance with the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024. The prescribed time limit for film certification under Rule 37 is 48 working days, but with the implementation of the Online Certification System, the average time taken is now 18 working days for feature films and 3 working days for short films. The Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, provide a multi-level grievance redressal mechanism. The following data details films certified for theatre release by CBFC, decisions challenged before the Revising Committees (RC), and High Courts (HC) since the abolition of the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) in 2021:
| Year | Total films certified | Challenged before RC | Challenged before HC |
|-----------|-----------------------|----------------------|----------------------|
| 2021-22 | 2031 | 25 | 2 |
| 2022-23 | 2777 | 46 | 4 |
| 2023-24 | 2837 | 49 | 1 |
| 2024-25 | 2687 | 38 | 4 |
| 2025-26 (till date) | 2248 | 55 | 10 |
The time taken for disposal of films in the Revising Committee is within the timeframe prescribed under Rule 37(7) of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024. This information was provided as a reply in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs (Dr. L. Murugan) to a question raised by Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. This release ID is 2223140, and the visitor counter reads 190.
Key Entities Referenced
Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024: Rules governing film certification, specifying time limits and redressal mechanisms.
Cinematograph Act, 1952: The foundational law under which the Central Board of Film Certification operates.
Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC): The primary body responsible for film certification in India.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Certification time for films reduced to average 18
days against the provision of 48 days
Posted On: 04 FEB 2026 4:23PM by PIB Delhi
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) functions in accordance with the Cinematograph Act,
1952, and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024. Under Rule 37 of the said Rules, the
prescribed time limit for certification of films is 48 working days. With the implementation of the
Online Certification System, the present average time taken for certification is 18 working days for
feature films and 3 working days for short films.
The year-wise details of films certified for theatre release by CBFC, decisions challenged before the
Revising Committees (RC) and various High Courts (HC) since the abolition of the Film Certification
Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) in 2021 are given below:
Year 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26
till date
Total films certified 2031 2777 2837 2687 2248
Challenged before RC 25 46 49 38 55
Challenged before HC 2 4 1 4 10
The time taken for disposal of films in the Revising Committee is within the timeframe prescribed
under Rule 37(7) of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024.
The extant norms under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024,
provide for a multi-level grievance redressal mechanism, allowing applicants to appeal to a Revising
Committee.
Reply given in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and
Parliamentary Affairs (Dr. L. Murugan) to the question raised by Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
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Mahesh Kumar
(Release ID: 2223140) Visitor Counter : 190
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