Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)
#GS 01 Art and Culture
For Prelims
Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)
- The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), informally known as the Censor Board, is a statutory body under the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.
- CBFC is responsible for regulating the public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act 1952 by certifying movies.
- According to the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983, CBFC is mandated to promote recreation, education, good and healthy entertainment to public.
- Films can be publicly exhibited in India only after they are certified by the CBFC.
- The CBFC board is headed by a chairperson and 12-45 non-official members appointed central government.
- The appointed members are eminent persons from social science, education, law, arts or films background.
- Its headquarters is located in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Types of Certification
Films are certified under 4 categories.
- โUโ (unrestricted public exhibition)
- โAโ (restricted to adult audiences]
- โU/Aโ (unrestricted public exhibition subject to parental guidance for children below the age of twelve) and
- โSโ (restricted to specialized audiences such as doctors or scientists).
The reasons for rejecting certification
The Section 5B in the Cinematograph Act, 1952, empowers the CBFC to refuse the certification of a film on the grounds of;
- the sovereignty and integrity of India,
- the security of the State,
- friendly relations with foreign States,
- public order,
- decency or involves defamation or contempt of court or
- is likely to incite the commission of any offense.
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