Context:
In order to improve process of certification, Central govt notifies Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024.
Key Highlights
- New rules are fully line up with online certification processes that will enhance transparency, efficiency and ease of doing business.
- It accommodates the provision of disable friendly accessible features for certification of movies/films.
- Age based certification in three subcategories which are seven years (UA 7+), thirteen years (UA 13+), and sixteen years (UA 16+) rather existing UA category.
- Larger participation of women in the CBFC Board & CBFC’s Advisory Panels, Compulsion to have one third women members preferably half shall be women.
- It Prioritize Screening of films in order to eliminate all discretions.
- It advocates Perpetual Validity of certificate instead of previous 10 years period.
Significance:
- Steps toward making cinema accessible to all strata of society including person with hearing and visual impairment to films.
- It will promote more inclusive film certification process that will support continued growth of Indian cinema
Backgrounds
The Cinematograph (Amendment) act, 2023 that amended the old Cinematograph Act, 1952.
- It introduced the Board of Film Certification to certify films for exhibition
- These certificated may be subjected to modification/deletion.
- It adds more certificate categories based on age:
- Without restriction (‘U’)
- Without restriction, but subjected to consent of guardian/parent for below 12 years of age (‘UA’).
- Only to adults (‘A’), or only to members of any profession or class of persons (‘S’).
- The act accommodates the UA category with three sub-category which is age based
- UA 7+, (ii) UA 13+, or (iii) UA 16+.
- This aged based affirmation within UA category by the Board is subjected to guidance of parents/guardians and not enforceable by any other person.
- Films with an ‘A’ or ‘S’ certificate requires a separate certificate for exhibition on television, or any other media
- Unauthorized recording and exhibition to be punishable with jail terms between 3 months to 3 years, fine between 3 lakh rupees to 5% of the audited gross production cost.
- The certificate issued by the Board is perpetually valid.
- Central government power to examine and make orders in regarding to films that have been certified or are pending certification transferred to Board of Film Certification.