Use our app for the best experience
Available for Android & iOS
CINEMATOGRAPH CERTIFICATION RULES, 1983
(1) These rules may be called the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983.
(2) They shall come into force on 1st day of June, 1983.
-----------------------
1. Vide G.S.R. 381(E), dated 9th May, 1983.
In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,—
(i) “Act” means the Cinematograph Act, 1952 (37 of 1952);
(ii) “advisory panel” means the advisory panel of the Board constituted under Rule 7;
(iii) “applicant” means a person applying for certification of a film for public exhibition under section 4;
(iv) “Assistant Regional Officer” means an assistant regional officer appointed under Rule 9 and includes the Secretary to Chairman;
(v) “Board” means the Board of Film Certification constituted under section 3;
(vi) “Chairman” means the Chairman of the Board;
(vii) “Chief Executive Officer” m
(1) A member of the Board shall hold office during the pleasure of the Central Government.
(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-rule (1), the Chairman shall hold office for a period of three years and shall continue to hold office until his successor is appointed:
Provided that pending the appointment of his successor the Central Government may appoint another person to act as Chairman for a period not exceeding one year.
(3) Subject to the provisions of sub-rule (1); every other member shall hold office for a period not exceeding three years.
(4) A retiring member or a member whose term of office has expired by efflux of time shall be eligible for re-appointment.
The Central Government may take such steps as it thinks fit to appoint women members in the Board so that there is due representation for women.]
----------------------
1. Ins. by G.S.R. 817(E), dated 16th November, 1994 (w.e.f. 16-11-1994).
A casual vacancy caused in the Board by resignation, death or removal of a member or otherwise shall be filled by the appointment of another member who shall hold office for the full term of membership provided under sub-rule (3) of Rule 3.
Unless otherwise directed by the Central Government, the headquarters of the Board shall be at Bombay.
Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules, when the Chairman is unable to discharge his functions owing to absence, illness or any other cause, the Central Government may nominate a member of the Board who will discharge the functions of the Chairman until the Chairman resumes his duties:]
Provided that where no such appointment is made, the Chief Executive Officer or the Regional Officer at Bombay shall, in addition to his other duties, exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Chairman and shall have the right to participate in the meetings of the Board, but shall not be entitled to preside at any meetings.
----------------------
1. Subs. by G.S.R. 67(E), dated 30th January, 1992 (w.e.f. 30-1-1992).
(1) The Central Government shall constitute an advisory panel at each of the regional offices of the Board.
(2) An advisory panel constituted under sub-rule (1) shall consist of such number of members as the Central Government may, after consultation with the Board, determine.
(3) The Central Government may, after consultation with the Board, appoint any person whom it thinks fit to be a member of an advisory panel:
Provided that the Central Government may dispense with such consultation in respect of such number of members not exceeding one-third of the total number of the members of the advisory panel, as that Government thinks fit:
1[Provided further that there shall be due representation to women in an advisory panel.]
(1) A member of an advisory panel shall hold office during the pleasure of the Central Government.
(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-rule (1), every such member shall hold office for a period not exceeding two years:
Provided that any person holding office as a member immediately before the commencement of these rules shall hold such office only for the remainder of the term for which he was appointed.
(3) A retiring member or a member whose term of office has expired by efflux of time shall be eligible for re-appointment.
(4) A casual vacancy in an advisory panel caused by the resignation, death or removal of any member or otherwise shall be filled by fresh appointment and the person so appointed shall hold office for a period not exceeding two
(1) For the purpose of enabling the Board to perform its functions under the Act, the Central Government may appoint a Chief Executive Officer, Regional Officers, Additional Regional Officers, Assistant Regional Officers and such other officers at the headquarters and at each of the regional offices of the Board:
Provided that the Central Government may delegate to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer subject to such conditions and limitations, if any, as may be specified by it, the power of appointment conferred on it under this sub-rule other than the powers of appointment in relation to the posts of Regional Officer and Additional Regional Officer:
Provided further that the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer may grant leave to or suspend or remove from service any officer appointed by him under the powers delegated to him under this sub
The Board shall, in addition to other duties prescribed under these rule,—
(1) submit an annual report to the Central Government reviewing the work done by the Board during the preceding financial year and the report shall contain a detailed analytical study of the trends in film industry;
(2) prescribe the manner in which the registers, records and accounts of the Board shall be kept; and
(3) review the work of Regional Officers and members of the Advisory Panels.
With a view to determining the principles to be observed in certifying films, the Board may take such steps as it thinks fit to assess public reactions to films, and for that purpose, the Board may hold symposia or seminars of film critics, film writers, community leaders and persons engaged in the film industry, or such other persons and also undertake local or national surveys to study the impact of various kinds of films on the public mind.
(1) The Chairman, if he is a paid full-time officer, shall be entitled to draw travelling and daily allowances as admissible under the Fundamental and Supplementary Rules and shall be entitled to leave and leave salary and such other benefits and shall be governed by such conditions of service as are applicable to Central Government officers engaged on contract:
Provided that in the case of an officer of an All India or Central Civil or General Central Service or State Service being appointed as Chairman he shall be entitled to leave and leave salary and other benefits admissible to officers of such service so long as he continues to belong to that service:
Provided further that if an officer who has already been holding a post under Government on contract with the benefits of Contributory Provident Fund is appointed as Chairman, he shal
(1) Every member of the advisory panel shall be entitled to draw travelling and daily allowances for journeys performed by him for attending the meetings of the Board outside the headquarters or for the purpose of discharging any other duties prescribed under the Act on the scale provided under the Fundamental and Supplementary Rules applicable to First Grade officers of Government.
(2) Every member of the advisory panel shall be entitled to receive a consultancy fee for attending a preview of film or a meeting of the Committee or Panel or for verification of cuts and affected reels at the rate of Rs. 50 per diem, provided that daily allowance in terms of (1) above will not be admissible in addition for the day or days for which consultancy fee is paid.
1[(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rules (1) and (2), if any member of t
(1) The Board shall ordinarily meet once a quarter for the transaction of business but the Chairman may at any time call an extraordinary meeting, if he considers it necessary to do so.
(2) Meetings of the Board shall be held at such places as the Chairman may at his discretion fix for the purpose.
The Chairman may co-opt the Chief Executive Officer or any one or more of the Regional Officers or any officer of the Central Government as a member or members of the Board for the purpose of attending a particular meeting of the Board and such officer or officers shall then be entitled to participate in the deliberations of the Board at that meeting but shall not be entitled to vote.
(1) At least 1[twenty-one clear days’] notice of all meetings of the Board shall be given to each member but an urgent meeting may be called by the Chairman at three clear days’ notice.
(2) The notice shall state the business to be transacted at the meetings and no business other than that stated shall be transacted at such meeting except with the consent of the Chairman or on his motion.
-----------------------
1. Subs. by G.S.R. 798(E), dated 15th December, 1995 (w.e.f. 1-1-1996).
The business of the Board shall ordinarily be transacted at a meeting duly called in accordance with the provision of these rules:
PROVIDED that the Chairman may, if he thinks fit, circulate any urgent matter among the members for their opinion.
At every meeting of the Board four members if the Chairman be present, and six members if he be absent, shall form a quorum.
Meetings of the Board shall be presided over by the Chairman or in his absence by a member elected by the members present from among themselves.
Every question before the Board shall be decided by a majority of votes and in the case of equality of votes, the Chairman or the member elected to preside under Rule 19, as the case may be, shall have a second or casting vote.
(1) Every application to certify a film for public exhibition shall be made in writing in Form I or Form IA or Form II or Form IIA, as the case may be, set out in Schedule II according as the film is produced in or imported into India.
(2) The application shall be addressed to the Board and delivered to the Regional Officer concerned as per Schedule :
PROVIDED that where films are imported into India, the Chairman may direct or permit applications in respect of them to be delivered to a Regional Officer other than the Regional Officer to whom such applications would have been delivered but for this proviso:
PROVIDED FURTHER that the Chairman may in the following circumstances direct or permit applications in respect of any films or class of films to be delivered to a Regional Officer other tha
(1) On receipt of an application under Rule 21, the Regional Officer shall appoint an Examining Committee to examine the film. The examination shall be made at the cost of the applicant on such date, at such place and at such time as the Regional Officer may determine.
(2) The Examining Committee shall consist of,—
(a) in the case of a short film, a member of the advisory panel and an examining officer 1[either of whom shall be a women]; and
(b) in the case of a long film, four members of the advisory panel and an examining officer 1[of whom two persons shall be women]:
Provided that if the examining officer is unavoidably absent at the examination of a film, the Examining Committee shall consist of two members of the advisory panel in a case
On receipt of the record referred to in sub-rule (12) of Rule 22, the Chairman, unless the provisions of sub-rule (1) of Rule 24 are attracted, direct the Regional Officer concerned to take further action on behalf of the Board in conformity with the recommendation of the Examining Committee either unanimous or by majority:
Provided that in case of a short film when the Committee is divided in its opinion, the Chairman shall either examine the film himself and take, or direct the Regional Officer concerned to take further action on behalf of the Board to give effect to his decision.
(1) On receipt of the record referred to in rule 22, the Chairman may, of his own motion or on the request of the applicant, refer it to a Revising Committee constituted for the purpose.
(2) The Revising Committee shall, subject to sub-rule (5), consist of a Chairman and not more than nine members, being members of the Board or members of any of the advisory panels, to be specified by the Chairman:
PROVIDED that subject to the provisions of sub-rule (11), the Chairman shall give due representation to women in the Committee by nominating such number of women members as he thinks fit.******
(3) The Chairman or in his absence a member of the Board nominated by the Chairman shall preside at every meeting of the revising committee.
(4) The Regional Offic
On receipt of the orders of the Board under section 4 or section 5A, the Regional Officer shall communicate the same to the applicant by registered post or in such other manner as in the circumstances of the case he deems fit and take such other steps in accordance with the said orders as he may deem necessary.
(1) Where the applicant is informed by a Regional Officer that a film will not be granted ‘U’ or ‘UA’ or ‘A’ or ‘S’ certificate, as the case may be, unless a specified portion or portions thereof be removed from the film, the Regional Officer may issue such a certificate, if he is satisfied on a declaration made in writing (in Form IX set out in Second Schedule) by the applicant that the portion or portions objected to have been excised from the negative of the film and from all copies thereof, whether in the possession of the applicant or the laboratory where the film was processed, the distributor, the exhibitor or any other person and surrendered to him.
Explanation.—For the purpose of being satisfied that the portion or portions objected to have been excised from the negative of the film and from all copies thereof,—
(a) the Regio
The portion or portions of the film and of all copies surrendered to the Regional Officer as provided in rule 26 shall be preserved for a period of six months in the Board's office and unless required by the Board shall thereafter be handed over to an authorised officer of the National Film Archive of India, Poona for study and research.
(1) In the case of a feature film after the Chairman or the Regional Officer has affixed his signature to the certificate granted under the foregoing rules and prior to the delivery or despatch of the certificate to the applicant, a copy in any gauge of the film as certified by the Board shall be deposited by the applicant with the Board at his own expenses for the purpose of record.
Explanation: A video copy of the film shall be treated as a copy of the film for the purpose of this sub-rule.
(2) In the copy deposited under sub-rule (1) the negative side numbers (key numbers) shall be clearly printed.
(3) The copy deposited under sub-rule (1) except where it is a video copy may, at the discretion of the Regional Officer concerned, be returned to the applicant on the expiry of one year from the
(1) A certificate granted by the Board under sub-section (1) of section 5A in respect of a film shall be valid for a period of ten years from the date on which the certificate is granted.
(2) Where in relation to the certificate of a film the period has expired a fresh certificate in Form IV, IVA, V, VA, VI, VIA, VII or VIIA set out in Schedule II, as the case may be, may be issued on an application made in this behalf and the same shall be dealt with as if it were an original application:
PROVIDED that a Regional Officer may, with the prior approval of the Chairman, dispense with examination of the film, if the application is for the issue of certificate in the same form in which it was issued earlier.
(3) An applicant for a fresh certificate shall be required to deposit copy of shooting scri
(1) The manner of notification to the distributor or exhibitor for the purpose of section 6A, shall be by delivery of a duplicate copy of the certificate (containing both parts I and II thereof) with each copy of the certified film to be distributed or exhibited:
1[Provided that in the case of video film, a copy of the certificate showing the serial number, the category and other details should be pasted on every video cassette as well as on its case.]
(2) The provisions of sub-rule (1) shall apply in relation to an amendment of a certificate in respect of a film as it applied in relation to the certificate itself.
(3) The duplicate copy of the certificate of a film referred to in sub-rule (1) shall accompany the film and be prominently exhibited in the theatre on all days on which the film is
Where in exercise of the powers conferred by section 6 of the Act, the Central Government by notification directs that a certified film shall be deemed to be an uncertified film in the whole of India; the applicant and any other person or persons to whom the rights in the film have passed, shall stop the exhibition of the film forthwith and surrender the certificate and all copies of the duplicate certificate granted in respect of the film to the Board within one month from the date of the notification:
1[Provided that the Chairman may, at the written request of the applicant or any other person concerned, extend the said period and the total period so extended shall not exceed six months.]
----------------------
1. Subs. by G.S.R. 67(E), d
(1) Where in respect of a film which has been certified for public exhibition, any complaint is received by the Board, the same shall be forwarded to the Central Government.
(2) The Central Government may, if it considers it necessary so to do, direct the Chairman to re-examine any film (in respect of which a complaint has been received by it directly or through the Board) in such manner and with such assistance as may be specified in the direction.
(3) The Chairman may, for the purpose of re-examination aforesaid, require by written notice the person who made the application for certification of the film or the person to whom the rights of ownership or distribution in the film have passed, to arrange at his expense to deliver a print of the certified film to any specified Regional Officer within such time as may be specified in the noti
(1) When a film is altered by excision, addition, colouring or otherwise after it has been certified under these rules, it shall not be exhibited unless the portion or portions excised, added, coloured or otherwise altered, have been reported to the Board in Form III in the Second Schedule and the Board has endorsed the particulars of the alteration or alterations on the certificate.
Explanation I.—Reasonable wear and tear in the normal course of handling or projecting a film shall not be deemed to be an alteration of the film within the meaning of this sub-rule.
Explanation II.—Any addition, deletion, alteration or replacement of background music in a film or, (unless the Chairman by general or special order otherwise directs) a mere change in gauge shall not be deemed to be an alteration of the film within the meaning of this sub-rule.
When a notification is published under the powers conferred by section 6 of the Act declaring that a film in respect of which a ‘U’ certificate or a ‘UA’ certificate or an ‘S’ certificate has been granted shall be deemed to be a film in respect of which an ‘A’ certificate has been granted, the person to whom the certificate has been granted or the person to whom the rights in the film have passed as the case may be, shall surrender within one month from the date of issue of the order the original certificate and all the duplicate copies thereof to the Board for the issue of a fresh certificate of the new category.
(1) A certificate authorizing the public exhibition of a film shall be in one of the 1[Forms IV, IVA, V, VA, VI, VIA, VII or VIIA] set out in the Second Schedule according as the film is fit for ‘U’ or ‘UA’ or ‘A’ or ‘S’ 2[or ‘U’ or ‘V/A’ or ‘V/UA’ or ‘V/S’] certificate as the case may be.
(2) The certificate shall be signed for and on behalf of the Board by the Chairman or by a Regional Officer for the Chairman.
2[(3) The prescribed mark of the Board shall be a film copy of the certificate, that is, a trailer certificate, which shall be affixed to the film and always exhibited with it. The trailer certificate shall be for such duration as one can read it on the screen:
Provided that Part I of the certificate shall be shown for a minimum duration of 10 seconds:
(1) A fee shall be charged for the examination of every film at the rates laid down in the following Table and the same shall be paid either in cash or remitted by postal order or bank draft to the regional center of the Board where the film is to be examined.
Table of Fees
Part I—Examination Fee:
(i) Celluloid Films
Length in meters (upto and Predominantly Educational Other than Predominantly inclusive inclusive of) Flms Rs. Educational films Rs.
The Chairman or any member of the Board or an advisory panel or a Regional Officer or any other officer or member of the staff of the Board or any officer of the Central Government authorized in writing by the Chairman or members or any officer or member of the staff of the Appellate Tribunal or any officer of the Central Government authorized in writing by the Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in this behalf, may enter any place licensed under the law in force relating to cinemas, in the discharge of his duties under the Act or these rules and thereupon the owner or the manager of such place shall provide him with a seat of the highest rate or the next lower class to view the film without charging the admission fee and entertainment tax.
Any person advertising a film granted ‘UA’, ‘A’ or ‘S’ certificate or the exhibition of such film by means of insertions in newspapers, hoardings, posters, handbills or trailers shall, after the date of its certification, indicate in such insertions in newspapers, hoardings, posters, handbills or trailers that the film has been certified for such public exhibition. 1[Such advertisement shall indicate only the certified title of a film.]
-----------------------
1. Ins. by G.S.R. 413(E), dated 29th May, 1984.
(1) The Board shall 1[maintain] a register in which these shall be entered,—
(a) the name of every film examined under the Act;
(b) the name of the person applying for certificate;
(c) the name of the person or company producing or releasing the film;
(d) the name of the country in which the film was original produced;
(e) the name of the place where the film was exhausted;
(f) the date of the examination;
(g) the names of the persons who examined the film;
(h) the result of the examination and of any further proceeding thereon;
If a film has been declared by a notification issued before the 15th January, 1951 by any State Government to be an uncertified film in any part or parts of the State concerned and if the said notification has not ceased to be in force by virtue of the proviso to sub-rule (2) of Rule 35 of the Cinematograph (Censorship) Rules, 1951, the film shall not be publicly exhibited unless it is certified for public exhibition in accordance with the provisions of these rules:
Provided that before certifying any such film for public exhibition the Board shall obtain the prior approval of the Central Government.
(1) After an application under Rule 21 for the certification of a film, complete in all respects (including the proof of payment of fees) is received, the Board shall scrutinize the application within seven days from the receipt thereof.
(2) On receiving an intimation from the applicant that a clear runnable print of the film is available for examination, the Board shall, within 15 days therefrom refer the film for examination to an Examining Committee.
(3) The films may be referred to the Examining Committee in the order in which the applications are received:
Provided that the Regional Officer may on receipt of a written request from any applicant, if satisfied that there are grounds for an early examination, alter the order of examination of the film after recording the reasons in writing.<
(1) Records of certification of feature/long film shall be preserved by the Board for a minimum period of twelve years.
(2) Records of certification of all short films shall be preserved by the Board for a minimum period of two years:
Provided that in the case of short films if thereby cuts made by the Board or alterations made therein under Rule 33 or if complaints have been received against the film, records of certification of the film shall be preserved for a minimum period of twelve years.
(1) The Chairman and members of the Appellate Tribunal shall hold office during the pleasure of the Central Government.
(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-rule (1), the Chairman of the Appellate Tribunal shall hold office for a period of three years and shall continue to hold office until his successor is appointed.
(3) Subject to the provisions of sub-rule (1), every other member of the Appellate Tribunal shall hold office for a period not exceeding three years.
(4) A retiring Chairman or a member of the Appellate Tribunal whose term of office has expired by efflux of time shall be eligible for reappointment.
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing sub-rules, when the Chairman of the Appellate Tribunal is unable to discharge his f
(1) Subject to sub-rule (2) below, fees at the rates laid down in the following table shall be payable along with every appeal petition preferred under sub-section (2) of section 5C and the same shall be paid either in cash or remitted by postal order or bank draft to the Secretary to the Tribunal:
Table of Fees
(i) Long film : Rs. 750 irrespective of length and gauge of film;
(ii) Short film : Rs. 100 irrespective of length and gauge of film.
(2) The Chairman of the Appellate Tribunal may at his discretion and for reasons to be recorded in writing, waive the payment of fee in any particular case.
(3) In the event of an appeal being withdrawn before the film is previewed, the Chairman of the Appella
Elevate your legal practice with advanced AI-driven research and drafting solutions. Experience unmatched efficiency, precision, and security, tailored exclusively for legal professionals.
An indispensable Tool for Legal Professionals, Endorsed by Various High Court and Judicial Officers
Please visit our Training & Support
Center or Contact Us for assistance
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
For Daily Legal Updates, Join us on :
Back to top
AI Assistant
