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.