The CBFC had last year introduced a revised certification framework aligned with prevailing social values and aimed at enhancing age-appropriate content categorisation. Representational file image.
| Photo Credit: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

The Union government on Saturday notified revised age-based certification categories for films, aimed at encouraging age-appropriate viewing, particularly for audiences requiring parental guidance.

In a gazette notification, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting amended the rules last notified in December 1991, which outline the principles for sanctioning films for public exhibition.

Under the amended rules, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is empowered to issue certificates for unrestricted public exhibition with specific endorsements indicating the nature and type of content, marked as ‘U/A 7+’, ‘U/A 13+’, and ‘U/A 16+’.

“Content suitable for a child aged seven years and above and under the age of seven years with parental guidance shall be classified as ‘U/A 7+’ rating; (ii) content suitable for a child aged thirteen years and above and under the age of thirteen years with parental guidance shall be classified as ‘U/A 13+’ rating; and (iii) content suitable for a child aged sixteen years and above and under the age of sixteen years with parental guidance shall be classified as ‘U/A 16+’ rating,” the notification stated.

The CBFC had last year introduced a revised certification framework aligned with prevailing social values and aimed at enhancing age-appropriate content categorisation. The reforms sought to modernise and streamline the overall certification process.

The three-tier sub-categorisation under the U/A rating replaces the earlier singular U/A classification applicable to children under 12 years. The certification of films is governed by the Cinematograph Act, 1952.

Historically, film certification in India included only two categories—‘U’ for unrestricted public exhibition and ‘A’ for adults only, with restrictions on explicit content such as nudity. In 1983, the ‘U/A’ category was introduced to allow unrestricted public viewing with parental guidance for children under 12, along with an ‘S’ category, meant for specialised audiences such as doctors or scientists.

The 1983 rules had set a single age threshold at 12 years for U/A films, but the 2023 amendment has now refined this with sub-classifications at 7, 13, and 16 years of age.