Films that show the consumption, use or trafficking of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances will now have to carry a mandatory anti-drug warning under revised film certification guidelines notified by the Centre.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting amended the guidelines on September 16 under the Cinematograph Act. The change means filmmakers will need to display a prescribed warning during scenes involving narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances.
The warning reads: "Illicit Narcotics Destroy Health and Guarantees Imprisonment. Say No to Drugs."
The revised requirement adds a specific on-screen warning to the existing restrictions governing the portrayal of drugs in films.
What the new rules say
The earlier certification guidelines required the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to ensure that scenes which could “encourage, justify or glamorise drug addiction” were not shown. However, they did not prescribe a particular warning to accompany scenes depicting drug use.
The latest amendment introduces the mandatory warning requirement for such scenes.
The move follows a similar direction issued by the ministry last month to OTT platforms. Streaming services were asked to prominently display the same warning whenever scenes showed the consumption or use of narcotic drugs.
Private satellite television channels have also received a similar advisory.
The film certification guidelines set out the principles that the CBFC must follow while examining films intended for public exhibition.
Other restrictions on film content
The guidelines cover several areas, including violence, cruelty, sexual content and depictions that could affect public order, national security or India’s relations with other countries.
They also require the CBFC to ensure that anti-social activities such as violence are not glorified or justified. Depictions of criminal methods that could encourage offences are also covered.
The guidelines were last amended in May 2025, when three age-based parental guidance categories—U/A 7, U/A 13 and U/A 16—were incorporated. The categories were introduced following amendments to the Cinematograph Act in 2023.
New CBFC board reconstituted
The latest film certification change comes shortly after the Centre reconstituted the CBFC on Wednesday.
The new 18-member board includes actors Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty, Pallavi Joshi and Prosenjit Chatterjee, filmmaker Priyadarshan and Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej, among others.
The board is headed by chairperson Shashi Shekhar Vempati. Its members have been given a three-year term or will continue until further orders, whichever is earlier.