Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Certification of Films as Per Statutory Provisions; Certification Timelines Reduced
Posted On: 13 MAR 2026 5:49PM by PIB Delhi
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, certifies films for public exhibition under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, and the guidelines issued thereunder. Cuts or modifications are recommended only if the content violates statutory parameters concerning sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, defamation, contempt of court or incitement to an offence.
The year-wise details of films (both digital and video) certified by CBFC and the films refused certification during the last 5 years are given below:
|
Year |
2020-21 |
2021-22 |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
2024-25 |
|
Total Films certified |
8299 |
12719 |
18070 |
17431 |
15444 |
|
Films certified with cuts/modifications |
1475 |
1911 |
2205 |
2440 |
3033 |
|
Refused certification |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
Over the last five years (2020–21 to 2024–25), CBFC has certified 71,963 films. The category wise break up of films is as follows:
|
Certification Category |
Total films certified (2022-21 to 2024-25) |
|
U |
41,817 |
|
UA* |
28,268 |
|
A |
1,878 |
|
S |
0 |
*Age based sub-categories under the UA category were introduced vide the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules. 2024.
As per Rule 37 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, the prescribed time limit for certification of films is 48 working days. With the implementation of the Online Certification System, the present average time taken for certification is 22 working days for feature films and 3 working days for short films.
The Cinematograph Act provides for an appeal against the order of the Board before a High Court. Such cases are dealt with in accordance with the outcome of the judicial proceedings. The year-wise details of the decisions challenged before the High Courts are given below:
|
Year |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Challenged before High Court |
2 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
10 |
This Information was submitted by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan in the Rajya Sabha in response to questions asked by Shri Mallikarjun Kharge.
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