CBFC’s new film certification guidelines: Statutory warning for scenes on drug use
The Indian government has updated film certification guidelines to mandate specific statutory warnings for scenes depicting drug use or trafficking. The new rules also restrict the glorification of substance abuse, violence, and the mistreatment of women, children, and animals.
Why it matters
These regulations reflect a tightening of state control over media content to align with societal values and public health messaging.
The central government has notified revised guidelines for film certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), that mandates a statutory warning for scenes showing drug use/trafficking, among others. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting notified the revised guidelines on September 16, 2026, under the Cinematograph Act amending the rules notified in December 1991.
The guidelines stipulate that the scenes involving consumption or trafficking of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances are accompanied by the statutory warning: ‘Illicit narcotics destroy health and guarantees imprisonment. Say No To Drugs’. Under the revised guidelines, scenes justifying or glorifying drinking or drug addiction or tobacco consumption should also not be shown.
The move marks a change from the earlier certification guidelines, which required the CBFC to ensure that scenes tending to “encourage, justify or glamorise drug addiction” were not shown, but did not prescribe such a specific on-screen warning.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in