The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in India has officially notified revised film certification guidelines, making it mandatory for films depicting the consumption, use, or trafficking of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances to carry a specific anti-drug warning. These updated regulations, issued on September 16, 2026, under the Cinematograph Act, aim to strengthen public health messaging.
New Warning Text and Implementation
Under the new rules, any scene that features drug consumption, usage, or trafficking must display the warning: “Illicit Narcotics Destroy Health and Guarantees Imprisonment. Say No to Drugs.” This specific on-screen warning adds a crucial layer to the existing guidelines that previously only required the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to ensure scenes did not “encourage, justify or glamorise drug addiction,” without stipulating a precise warning message.
The move follows similar directives issued by the ministry last month, which mandated prominent display of the same anti-drug warning on Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms and private satellite television channels during relevant scenes, indicating a comprehensive approach to combating drug abuse across various media.
Evolution of Film Certification Guidelines
The film certification guidelines, which govern the principles the CBFC must adhere to when examining films for public exhibition, have seen several amendments over the years. The last significant change occurred in May 2025, when the government introduced three age-based parental guidance categories: U/A 7+, U/A 13+, and U/A 16+. These categories were incorporated following amendments to the Cinematograph Act in 2023, advising parental guidance for children below the specified ages.
Beyond drug depiction, the guidelines also instruct the CBFC to prevent the glorification of anti-social activities, the depiction of criminal methods likely to incite offenses, and the justification of violence or cruelty. They also cover sensitive content related to public order, state security, and India's international relations.
Reconstituted CBFC Board
This latest update to film certification rules comes shortly after the Centre reconstituted the CBFC board. The new 18-member board, appointed for a three-year term, includes prominent figures from the entertainment industry such as actors Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty, and Pallavi Joshi, filmmaker Priyadarshan, and Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej. The board continues to be headed by chairperson Shashi Shekhar Vempati.