## Report on Amendment to Cinematograph Act, 1952 - Film Certification
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes an amendment to the notification S.O. number 836 E, dated the 6th of December 1991, which relates to film certification under the Cinematograph Act, 1952. The amendment, detailed in notification S.O. 2440E of May 30, 2025, introduces new UA (Unrestricted Public Exhibition with Parental Guidance) rating categories. These categories further specify the age ranges for which parental guidance is advised: UA 7, UA 13, and UA 16. The core purpose of this amendment is to provide more granular guidance to parents and guardians regarding the suitability of films for children of different age groups. The key finding is the introduction of these new, more detailed UA classifications.
**2. Introduction:**
This report aims to provide a clear and concise overview of the amendment to the film certification guidelines under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, as outlined in the provided government notification. The analysis is based solely on the information presented in the supplied text.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* This report analyzes an *amendment* to the original notification S.O. number 836 E, dated the 6th December 1991.
* **Core Objective(s):** The amendment aims to refine the existing film certification process to provide more specific guidance to parents and guardians regarding age appropriateness of films for children, specifically focusing on the need for parental guidance. The text suggests a move towards greater precision in indicating the appropriate age range for viewing a film with parental supervision.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
This amendment likely stems from a perceived need for more detailed and nuanced film certification, specifically within the "UA" category. The existing UA classification was evidently deemed insufficient in conveying the varying degrees of suitability for children of different age groups. The change suggests an attempt to address concerns that a single UA rating might not adequately inform parents about the specific content and its potential impact on children within a broader age range. The amendment is designed to provide a more graduated system of advisories.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This amendment introduces significant changes to the UA certification process by replacing the existing subparagraph 2 in paragraph 5 of the original notification with a more detailed classification system. The changes are as follows:
* **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** Paragraph 5, subparagraph 2 of the notification S.O. number 836 E, dated the 6th December 1991 is being changed.
* **New Rule/Provision:** The amendment introduces three new UA ratings:
* UA 7: Content suitable for children aged seven years and above, requiring parental guidance for those under seven.
* UA 13: Content suitable for children aged thirteen years and above, requiring parental guidance for those under thirteen.
* UA 16: Content suitable for children aged sixteen years and above, requiring parental guidance for those under sixteen.
* **Difference/Effect of Change:** The original UA classification provided a general advisory for parental guidance. The amended system offers a more precise age-based recommendation. This allows parents to make more informed decisions about whether a film is appropriate for their children, based on their specific age and maturity level. Films will now be marked with UA 7, UA 13, or UA 16 based on content assessment by the Board.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The primary target audience and stakeholders directly affected by these changes are:
* **Parents and Guardians:** They are the direct recipients of the refined age-based guidance.
* **The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) (Inferred):** The Board is responsible for implementing the new certification guidelines.
* **Film Producers and Distributors:** They must adhere to the new certification requirements and ensure films are appropriately labeled.
* **Cinema Exhibitors:** They are responsible for displaying the correct film ratings.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) are the primary bodies involved.
* **Timelines or Procedures:** The notification is effective from the date of its publication (May 30, 2025). The CBFC would need to update its processes to incorporate the new UA rating categories and ensure consistent application of these guidelines during film certification. No other timelines or procedures are specified in the text.
* **Implementation Aspects Specific to Changes:** The Board will now be required to assess films not only for their general suitability under the UA category but also to determine the specific age threshold (7, 13, or 16) that warrants parental guidance. This will likely necessitate revised content evaluation criteria.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcome of these changes is to improve the effectiveness of film certification in guiding parents' decisions about film viewing for their children. The introduction of UA 7, UA 13, and UA 16 ratings should:
* Provide parents with more specific and actionable information.
* Reduce ambiguity associated with the general UA rating.
* Enable more informed decisions about what films are appropriate for children of different ages.
* Potentially lead to more nuanced content creation by filmmakers, considering specific age appropriateness.
**9. Conclusion:**
The amendment to the Cinematograph Act, 1952, through notification S.O. 2440E, represents a significant refinement of the film certification process. By introducing UA 7, UA 13, and UA 16 ratings, the government aims to provide parents with more precise age-based guidance on the suitability of films for children. This change is likely to have a positive impact on the film industry by encouraging responsible content creation and empowering parents to make informed viewing choices for their families.
Key Entities Referenced
NEW DELHI: Location where the notification was issued.
FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2025: Date of publication of the notification.
JYAISTHA 9, 1947: Date of publication according to the Indian national calendar.
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING: The government ministry issuing the notification.
NOTIFICATION: Type of document being analyzed.
S.O. 2440E: Notification number.
Central Government: The governing body making the amendment.
Cinematograph Act, 1952: The Act under which the powers are being exercised. It is also referred to as '37 of 1952'.
Government of India: The government to which the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting belongs.
S.O. number 836 E: Previous notification being amended.
December 6, 1991: Date of the previous notification (S.O. number 836 E) being amended.
Gazette of India: Official government publication.
Part II, Section 3, Subsection ii: Section of the Gazette of India where the notifications are published.
Board: Refers to a board which assesses films and provides an opinion.
UA 7 rating: A film rating classification indicating content suitable for children aged seven and above, but parental guidance advised for those under seven.
UA 13 rating: A film rating classification indicating content suitable for children aged thirteen and above, but parental guidance advised for those under thirteen.
UA 16 rating: A film rating classification indicating content suitable for children aged sixteen and above, but parental guidance advised for those under sixteen.
F. No. M1101712024DOFC: File number of the notification.
Dr. AJAY NAGABHUSHAN M.N.: Joint Secretary (Jt. Secy.) at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
S.O. number 655E: Previous amendment to the principal notification.
September 15, 1997: Date of the previous amendment to the principal notification (S.O. number 655E).
Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064: Location of the Dte. of Printing.
Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054: Publisher of the Gazette of India.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-31052025-263501
CG-DxLx-xEG-I3D1H0x5x2x0 25-263501
xxxGIDExxx
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण्ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 2381] नई दिल्ली, िुक्रिार, मई 30, 2025/ज्य ष्े ठ 9, 1947
No. 2381] NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2025/JYAISTHA 9, 1947
सचू ना और प्रसारण मत्रं ालय
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 30 मई, 2025
का.आ. 2440(अ).— केन्द्रीय सरकार, चलजचत्र अजधजनयम, 1952 (1952 का 37) की धारा 5ख की उपधारा
(2) द्वारा प्रित्त िजियों का प्रयोग करते हुए, भारत सरकार के सूचना और प्रसारण मंत्रालय की अजधसूचना का.आ. संख्या
836 (अ), तारीख 6 दिसंबर 1991, िो भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग II, खंड 3, उपखंड (ii) तारीख 6 दिसंबर 1991
में प्रकाजित हुई थी, म ेंजनम्नजलजखत और संिोधन करती ह,ै अथाात्:-
उि अजधसूचना में परै ा 5 के उपपैरा (2) के स्ट्थान पर जनम्नजलजखत उपपरै ा रखा िाएगा, अथाात्:-
“(2) यदि बोडा, दिल्म की प्रकृजत, जिषय-िस्ट्तु और जिषय-िस्ट्त ुको ध्यान में रखत ेहुए, इस राय पर ह ैदक दकसी बच्च े
के माता-जपता या अजभभािक को इस बात पर जिचार करन ेके जलए सािधान करना आिश्यक ह ैदक क्या सात, तेरह या
सोलह िष ास ेकम आय ुके दकसी बच्च ेको ऐसी दिल्म िेखन े की अनुमजत िी िा सकती ह,ै तो दिल्म को जनम्नजलजखत यूए
माकारों के साथ सामग्री की प्रकृजत और प्रकार के अनुसार उस आिय के समथान के साथ अप्रजतबंजधत सािािजनक प्रििना
के जलए प्रमाजणत दकया िाएगा, अथाात:-
(i) सात िष ा या उससे अजधक आयु के बच्च े और माता-जपता के मागाििान के साथ सात िषा से कम आयु के बच्च े
के जलए उपयिु सामग्री को "य/ूए 7+" रेट ंग के रूप में िगीकृत दकया िाएगा;
(ii) तेरह िषा या उससे अजधक आयु के बच्च े तथा माता-जपता के मागाििान में तरे ह िष ा से कम आयु के बच्चे के
जलए उपयिु सामग्री को “य/ूए 13+” रेट ंग के रूप म ेंिगीकृत दकया िाएगा; और
3575 GI/2025 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
(iii) सोलह िष ा या उसस े अजधक आय ु के बच्च े और माता-जपता के मागाििान के साथ सोलह िष ा से कम आय ु के
बच्च े के जलए उपयिु सामग्री को "यू/ए 16+" रेट ंग के रूप म ेंिगीकृत दकया िाएगा;" ।
[िा. सं. एम-11017/1/2024- डीओ(एिसी)]
डॉ. अिय नागभूषण एम. एन., संयुि सजचि
ट प्पण :- मलू अजधसूचना, का.आ. संख्या 836(अ) तारीख 6 दिसंबर, 1991 द्वारा भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण,
भाग II, खंड 3, उपखंड (ii) म ें प्रकाजित की गई थी और अंजतम बार का.आ. संख्या 655(अ) तारीख 15 जसतंबर,
1997 द्वारा संिोजधत की गई थी।
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 30th May, 2025
S.O. 2440(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 5B of the Cinematograph
Act, 1952 (37 of 1952), the Central Government hereby makes the following further amendment in the notification of
the Government of India in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting S.O. number 836 (E), dated the 6th December
1991 published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (ii) dated 6th December 1991,
namely:—
In the said notification in paragraph 5, for sub-paragraph (2), the following sub-paragraph shall be substituted,
namely:—
“(2) If the Board, having regard to the nature, content and theme of the film, is of the opinion that it is necessary to
caution the parents or guardian of a child to consider as to whether any child below the age of seven, thirteen or sixteen
years, may be allowed to see such a film, the film shall be certified for unrestricted public exhibition with
an endorsement to that effect in accordance with the nature and type of the content with the following UA markers,
namely:-
(i) content suitable for a child aged seven years and above and under the age of seven years with parental guidance shall
be classified as “U/A 7+” rating;
(ii) content suitable for a child aged thirteen years and above and under the age of thirteen years with parental guidance
shall be classified as “U/A 13+” rating; and
(iii) content suitable for a child aged sixteen years and above and under the age of sixteen years with parental guidance
shall be classified as “U/A 16+” rating;"
[F. No. M-11017/1/2024-DO(FC)]
Dr. AJAY NAGABHUSHAN M.N., Jt. Secy.
Note:- The principal notification was published, vide S.O. number 836(E) dated the 6th December, 1991 in the Gazette
of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-Section (ii) and last amended vide S.O. number 655(E) dated the
15th September, 1997.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.