Central Board of Film Certification

The Central Board of Film Certification is the statutory authority that examines films before their public exhibition in India. Its mandate under the Cinematograph Act, 1952 is to classify films, require suitable modifications where necessary, or refuse certification according to statutory standards.

Statutory foundation and composition

Under Section 3, the Central Government constitutes the Board to sanction films for public exhibition. It consists of a Chairperson and 12-25 other members, all appointed by the Central Government.

Certification powers

Under Section 4, the Board examines a film and determines whether, and for whom, it may be publicly exhibited. Because it decides certification applications after applying legal standards, its function is quasi-judicial in character.

• A U certificate permits unrestricted public exhibition.
• A UA certificate, with UA 7+, UA 13+ or UA 16+ markers, advises parental or guardian guidance for children below the specified age.
• An A certificate restricts exhibition to adults, while an S certificate restricts it to members of a specified profession or class.
• The Board may direct excisions or modifications before certification, or refuse certification. Before doing so, it must give the applicant an opportunity to present their views and communicate its reasons in writing.

Standards governing certification

Under Section 5B, certification may be denied where exhibition would harm India's sovereignty and integrity, state security, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or involve defamation, contempt of court or incitement to an offence. These grounds broadly reflect the reasonable restrictions permitted by Article 19(2) on freedom of speech and expression.

• The Central Government may issue certification guidelines consistent with the Act.
• The Board therefore balances cinematic expression with the statutory protection of specified public interests.

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