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CBFC Full Form: The full form of CBFC is Central Board of Film Certification. CBFC is a legal body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. The CBFC is responsible for checking and approving films before they are shown to the public.
This is done as per the rules mentioned in the Cinematograph Act of 1952, which lays out the process for giving certificates to films that are shown in public places like theatres or on television. Only after being edited and approved by the board can movies that have already been shown on television and in theaters in India be shown to the general public.
Central Board of Film Certification Overview
In India, films must be reviewed and certified by the Central Board of Film Certification before being released to the general public. It is governed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and makes sure that movies adhere to the rules and regulations outlined in the 1952 Cinematograph Act. Here is an overview of CBFC.
| Category | Details |
| Full Form | Central Board of Film Certification |
| Type | Film Certification Body |
| Jurisdiction | India |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, Maharashtra |
| Chairperson | Prasoon Joshi |
| Parent Ministry | Ministry of Information and Broadcasting |
| Key Document | Cinematograph Act, 1952 |
| Official Website | cbfcindia.gov.in |
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Current Chairperson of CBFC
Prasoon Joshi, CBFC’s current chairman, is a writer, poet, and icon in the fields of advertising and communication who has won national awards. songwriter and screenwriter for well-known Bollywood productions. numerous social initiatives, such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan and the eradication of polio. wrote five books, starting at the age of 17. received three Filmfare Awards, two National Awards, and the Padma Shri in 2015. The Cannes Festival’s first Asian juror for the Titanium category. The World Economic Forum (WEF) named him a Young Global Leader.
CBFC Certificates and Guidelines
The board currently awards four certificates. There were originally two:
- A (adult audiences only, but no nudity allowed)
- U (unrestricted public exhibition with family-friendly films).
In June 1983, two more were added:
- S (limited to specialized audiences, like scientists or doctors)
- U/A (unrestricted public exhibition, with parental guidance for children under 12).
The board now gives four types of CBFC certificates for films. At first, there were only two:
- U: For everyone, including families.
- A: For adults only (no nudity allowed).
Later in June 1983, two more were added:
- U/A: Can be watched by all, but children under twelve should watch with parental guidance.
- S: For a special audience like scientists or doctors, not for the general public.
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CBFC U Certificate
U-certified films are suitable for unfettered public screening and are suitable for a family audience. Universal themes like education, family, romance, drama, sci-fi, action, and so forth may be included in these movies. There may be some mild violence in these movies as well, but it cannot last for very long. Very mild sexual scenes (without any indications of nudity or sexual detail) might also be included.
CBFC U/A Certificate
The moderate adult themes in films with the U/A certification are not strong enough to be deemed suitable for children to watch without parental supervision. These films may include blood flow, frightening scenes, mildly offensive language, moderate to severe violence, and moderate sexual scenes (with traces of nudity and moderate sexual detail). Such films are occasionally revalidated for video viewing with V/U. In 2023, the age threshold was further adjusted from 12 to 7, 13, and 16 years old.
- UA 7+: Suitable for children above 7, younger children need parental guidance.
- UA 13+: Suitable for children above 13, younger ones should watch with parents.
- UA 16+: Suitable for teens above 16, not ideal for younger children without guidance.
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A Certificate
Films with a CBFC A certification can be screened in public, but only for adults. Even though they are widely seen, these movies may contain explicit sexual content, violent or abusive language, nudity, and remarks that are offensive to women or any other social group are prohibited.
Themes deemed inappropriate for younger audiences include those that are controversial, adult, or suggestive. These films are often re-certified with V/UA & V/U for TV, in contrast to U/A & U-certified films.
S Certificate
The public is not permitted to watch films that have received an S certification. These movies are only allowed to be seen by those who are connected to them, such as scientists, doctors, etc.
CBFC Principles
The guiding principles of the board are to guarantee healthy public education and entertainment, and to use contemporary technology to make the certification process and board operations transparent to the public, filmmakers, and media. Additionally, all videos must be certified by the CBFC to be televised or distributed on any platform in India, and the same standards should be suggested for any location in the world.
History of CBFC in India
Seven years after the release of Dadasaheb Phalke’s Raja Harishchandra, India’s first motion picture, the Indian Cinematograph Act was passed in 1920. In the beginning, film censorship boards were set up in major cities like Madras, Bombay, Calcutta, Lahore, and Rangoon. These boards worked independently and were under the local police chiefs.
After India became independent in August 1947, all the separate regional film censorship boards were combined to create one main board called the Bombay Board of Film Censors. Later in 1952, the government passed the Cinematograph Act to make this system more organized. Subsequently, the Central Board of Film Censors replaced the Bombay board.
Later, in 1983, the name was changed to the CBFC to better reflect its work. In 2021, the Indian government closed down the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT), which was earlier used to appeal against CBFC decisions. In August 2023, a new Cinematography Amendment Bill was introduced to update the old law. The president of India has yet to approve this bill.
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CBFC Composition and Leadership
There is a chairperson and twenty-three members on the Central Board of Film Certification. They are all chosen by the Central Government. Prasoon Joshi became the new chairperson on 11 August 2017. After Pahlaj Nihalani was removed from office, he was appointed the 28th chairperson.
Before Nihalani, Leela Samson was the chairperson. She resigned after a tribunal allowed the film MSG: The Messenger, which the CBFC had rejected. Leela Samson had replaced Sharmila Tagore, who also served as the CBFC board’s head earlier.
CBFC Offices Across India
The main office of CBFC is in Mumbai. It also has nine regional offices located in:
- Bangalore
- Hyderabad
- Mumbai
- Chennai
- Kolkata
- Cuttack
- Guwahati
- Thiruvananthapuram
- New Delhi
CBFC Board Members
The Central Board of Film Certification includes members from various fields like cinema, literature, theatre, and social service. These CBFC members are appointed by the Central Govt. to help in reviewing and certifying films. Below is the list of current board members who assist in film evaluation and classification.
- Vidya Balan
- Shri Vivek Agnihotri
- Shri Waman Kendre
- Shri T.S. Nagabharana
- Jeevitaa Rajashekhar
- Gautami Tadimalla
- Shri Mihir Bhutia
- Shri Ramesh Patange
- Vani Tripathi Tikoo
- Shri Naresh Chandra Lal
CBFC Enforcement
Censorship has been strictly enforced since 2004. According to a reported incident, exhibitor staff members, including a ticket sales clerk, an usher, a theater manager, and the theater complex’s partners, were arrested for violating certification regulations by permitting children to view the Tamil-language film 7G Rainbow Colony, which was certified with an A rating.
CBFC Violations of the Cinematograph Act and Penalties
Violations of certification provisions are punishable by law. They are also not subject to bail. Section 7 of the Cinematograph Act describes the penalties for breaking censorship rules. Failure to comply with section 6A, which mandates that anyone delivering a film to an exhibitor or distributor provide them with information about all cuts, certification, title, length, and certification conditions, may also result in penalties.
If someone violates the law by showing celluloid films, they could be imprisoned for up to three years, fined up to Rs. one lakh, or both. If the offense is ongoing, they could also be fined up to Rs. 20,000 per day. In a similar vein, showing video films that break the rules in the way outlined in this section will result in a minimum sentence of three months in prison, with the possibility of a three-year sentence, a minimum fine of Rs. 20,000, with the possibility of a Rs. 1 lakh fine, and a daily fine of up to Rs. 20,000 for a persistent offense.
The trial court also has the power to order the government to forfeit the offending movie. Any police officer may enter a hall showing an offending film, search the area, and confiscate the print under Section 7A. Films that are likely to be shown in violation of the Cinematograph Act may also be confiscated.
FAQs on CBFC Full Form
What is the full form of the CBFC certificate?
The full form of CBFC is the Central Board of Film Certification.
Which film certificate is best?
U Certificate, Movies that receive the U certification are thought to be perfect for unfettered public screening.
What is CBFC's age rating?
CBFC will certify films bearing the U/A 7+, U/A 13+, and U/A 16+ tags in order to promote age-appropriate viewing.
What does CBFC mean?
CBFC stands for the Central Board of Film Certification. It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. The CBFC is responsible for regulating the public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952. Films can be publicly exhibited in India only after they have been certified by the CBFC.
What is U and UA in movies?
In India, the CBFC classifies films into various categories to indicate the suitability of content for different audiences: U (Unrestricted Public Exhibition): Films with this certification are suitable for all age groups. These films may contain universal themes like education, family, drama, romance, sci-fi, or action. They may also contain some mild violence, but it cannot be prolonged. UA (Unrestricted Public Exhibition - Parental Guidance): Films with this certification are suitable for all age groups; however, children below 12 years are advised to watch these films under parental guidance. These films may contain moderate violence, suggestive themes, or language that may not be suitable for children.
