**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 1865 in the Lok Sabha, concerning the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules 2024. The questions address the frequency of board meetings, the submission of annual reports, the legal authority under which the board is functioning, financial audits, and measures to prevent the dissemination of harmful content. The response was provided by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan. The response was given on 11.02.2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Board Functioning:**
* The CBFC is constituted under Section 3 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
* The CBFC is headed by a Chairperson and functions in accordance with Rule 3 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024.
* The CBFC conducts its meetings with Board Members online.
* **Certification Process:**
* Since 2017, the certification workflow has been predominantly digital through the e-Cinepramaan online certification platform.
* Meetings of Examining and Revising Committees are held as required based on the volume of films submitted.
* CBFC certifies films as per the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, and related guidelines.
* Films are certified under categories U, UA with UA marker, A, and S, as applicable.
* The CBFC prevents dissemination of harmful content through scrutiny at the certification stage, including directions for excisions or modifications.
* **Reporting and Audits:**
* The CBFC submits its annual report to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting every year.
* This information is incorporated into the Ministry's consolidated Annual Report, which is published regularly and made available on the Ministry's website.
* Periodic audits of CBFC are conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Information & Broadcasting**
* **Impact**
* The Ministry receives annual reports from the CBFC and incorporates the data into its consolidated Annual Report.
* The Ministry oversees the functioning of the CBFC in accordance with the Cinematograph Act and related rules.
* **Action Required**
* Continue to monitor the CBFC's activities and ensure compliance with regulations.
**Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)**
* **Impact**
* The CBFC must continue to function under the Cinematograph Act and related rules.
* The CBFC must conduct meetings, certify films, and prevent the dissemination of harmful content.
* **Action Required**
* Ensure compliance with the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024.
* Continue to implement digital processes for certification.
**Filmmakers and Content Creators**
* **Impact**
* Filmmakers must adhere to the certification process and content guidelines established by the CBFC.
* **Action Required**
* Submit films through the e-Cinepramaan platform and comply with certification requirements.
**General Public**
* **Impact**
* The public is protected from harmful content through the CBFC's certification process.
* **Action Required**
* No specific action required, but awareness of the film certification system helps in making informed viewing choices.
Key Entities Referenced
Cinematograph (Certification) Rules 2024: The rules governing film certification, a key subject of the parliamentary question.
Cinematograph Act, 1952: The primary legislation under which the CBFC operates and certifies films.
Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC): The organization responsible for film certification in India, heavily scrutinized in the document.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: The government ministry responsible for the CBFC and film certification policy.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1865
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026
CINEMATOGRAPH (CERTIFICATION) RULES 2024
1865: SMT. JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT:
SHRI MURARI LAL MEENA:
SHRI KARTI P CHIDAMBARAM:
SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that under the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules 2024,
the board must meet once in every quarter, whereas the last board meeting was held over
six years ago in August 2019;
(b) if so, whether the Government is aware that the last annual report on the Central Board of
Film Certification (CBFC) website dates back to 2016-17, despite rules requiring the board
to publish and submit an annual report to the Ministry and if so, the details and reasons
thereof;
(c) the details of the legal authority under which the board is currently functioning in the light
of fact that the CBFC was last reconstituted in 2017 for a three-year term that ended in
2020 and the timeline stipulated for the constitution of the Board;
(d) whether the Government has conducted an audit of the financial expenditures and
certification decisions made by the lapsed board during the period it has functioned without
formal reconstitution; and
(e) the steps taken by the CBFC during the last three years to prevent the dissemination of
harmful content in the society?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) to (e): The CBFC is constituted under Section 3 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, is headed
by a Chairperson, and continues to function in accordance with Rule 3 of the Cinematograph
(Certification) Rules, 2024.The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) conducts its meetings with Board Members
online. Since 2017, the certification workflow has been made predominantly digital through the
e-Cinepramaan online certification platform, through which submission of applications,
processing, and approvals is done online. The meetings of Examining and Revising Committees
are held as required based on the volume of films submitted, ensuring timely certification.
CBFC certifies films as per the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the Cinematograph (Certification)
Rules, 2024 and the guidelines issued thereunder under the categories U, UA with UA marker,
A and S, as applicable, and prevents dissemination of harmful content through scrutiny at the
certification stage, including directions for excisions or modifications wherever required.
The CBFC submits its annual report to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting every year.
This information is incorporated into the Ministry’s consolidated Annual Report, which is
published regularly and made available on the Ministry’s website. Further, periodic audits of
CBFC are conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
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