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India Introduces Three New Age-Specific Film Certification Categories

The government’s gazette notification empowers the CBFC to assign precise parental-guidance endorsements for distinct age groups under amended film certification rules.

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Overview

  • On May 31, 2025, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting amended the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983 through a gazette notification.
  • The revised guidelines break the former U/A12+ rating into U/A7+, U/A13+ and U/A16+ endorsements to match content suitability with specific age brackets.
  • The Central Board of Film Certification is now authorized to apply these age-based endorsements alongside the existing U and A categories.
  • This notification builds on a 2023 overhaul that first refined the U/A classification into narrower sub-categories reflecting evolving social values.
  • All certification rules continue to operate under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, maintaining legal standards for public film exhibition.