Central Board of Film Certification - Current Certificates

Current Certificates

The CBFC currently issues the following certificates:

Certificate Name Definition/Notes
U Universal Unrestricted Public Exhibition throughout India, suitable for all age groups. Films under this category should not upset children over 4. This rating is similar to the MPAA's G and PG, the BBFC's U and PG, and the OFLC's G and PG ratings. Such films may contain:
  • Mild references to general drug abuse.
  • Mild scary scenes.
  • No nudity.
  • Mild profanity or crude humour.
  • Mild sexual references.
  • No sex scenes.
  • Educational, social and/or family-oriented themes.
  • Mild violence.
  • No sexual violence.
UA Parental Guidance All ages admitted, but it is advised that children below 12 be accompanied by a parent as the theme or content may be considered intense or inappropriate for young children. This rating is similar to the MPAA's PG and PG-13, the BBFC's PG and 12A and the OFLC's PG and M ratings. Such films may contain:
  • Moderate coarse language or suggestive dialogue.
  • References and use of soft drugs.
  • Undetailed horror scenes and brief gory images.
  • People wearing minimal clothing.
  • Undetailed references to sexual behavior.
  • Implied sex scenes.
  • Mature themes.
  • Moderate violence.
  • Implied sexual violence.
A Adults Only Restricted to adult audiences (18 years or over). The content in these films is considered too strong for young children so this category is off-limits to minors. This rating is similar to the MPAA's R, the BBFC's 15 and the OFLC's MA15+ ratings.

Nobody younger than 18 may rent or buy an A-rated VHS, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, UMD or game, or watch a film in the cinema with this rating. Such films may contain:

  • References and use of hard drugs.
  • Explicit language or intensely suggestive dialogue.
  • Strong horror scenes and blood and gore.
  • Partial nudity.
  • Crude and detailed references to sexual behavior.
  • Portrayals of sexual activity.
  • Adult/disturbing themes.
  • Intense/brutal violence.
  • Portrayals of sexual violence.
S Restricted to any special class of persons This rating signifies that the film is meant for a specialised audience, such as doctors. The following content is banned from public exhibition:
  • Endorsement or illegal use of drugs, tobacco and/or alcohol.
  • Endorsement of racist language.
  • Extreme horror scenes and excessive blood and gore.
  • Portrayals of full-frontal or rear nudity.
  • Portrayals of real sex (i.e. pornography).
  • Excessive or continued brutality.
  • Explicit and unjustified scenes of sexual violence.
  • Content offending the sentiments of religious communities.
  • Content offending the sovereignty and/or foreign relations of India.
  • Any other content offending the standards of morality and decency generally accepted by adults in India.

Additionally, V/U, V/UA, V/A are used for video releases with U, UA and A carrying the same meaning as above. UA and S certificates were introduced in 1983.

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