Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Notifies Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024

G.S.R. 214(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by section 8 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 (37 of
1952), and in supersession of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983, the Central Government hereby makes
the following rules, namely : —

1. Short title and commencement.-

(1) These rules shall be called the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024.
(2) They shall come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. Definitions.–

In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires-
(i) ―Act‖ means the Cinematograph Act, 1952 (37 of 1952);
(ii) ―advisory panel‖ means the advisory panel of the Board constituted under rule 7;
(iii) ―applicant‖ means a person applying for certification of a film for public exhibition under section 4;
(iv) ―Assistant Regional Officer‖ means an assistant regional officer appointed under rule 9 and
includes the Secretary to Chairperson;
(v) ―Board‖ means the Board of Film Certification constituted under section 3;
(vi) ―Chairperson‖ means the Chairperson of the Board;
(vii) ―Chief Executive Officer‖ means a Chief Executive Officer appointed under rule 9;
(viii) ―Examining Officer‖ means a Chief Executive Officer or a Regional Officer or an
Additional Regional Officer or an Assistant Regional Officer or such other officer appointed by the
Central Government for the purpose of examination of films;
(ix) ―feature film‖ means fictionalized story long film;
(x) ―foreign films‖ means films produced outside India;
(xi) ―long film‖ is a film running 72 minutes or more, including the credit and title time of the film;
(xii) ―member‖ means a member of the Board and includes the Chairperson;

(Xiii)Regional Officer‖ means a Regional Officer appointed under rule 9 and includes a Chief Executive
Officer, an Additional Regional Officer and an Assistant Regional Officer or such other officer
appointed under that rule;
(xiv) ―section‖ means a section of the Act;
(xv) ―short film‖ means a film running less than 72 minutes;
(xvi) ―UA certificate‖ means a ‗UA‘ certificate with the appropriate ‗UA marker‘ as defined under clause
(i) of section 2 of the Act; and

3. Terms of office.-

(1) A member of the Board shall hold office during the pleasure of the Central Government.
(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-rule (1), the Chairperson shall hold office for a period of three years and shall
continue to hold office until their successor is appointed;
Provided that pending the appointment of their successor, the Central Government may appoint another
person to act as Chairperson in the interim for a period not exceeding one year.
(3) Subject to the provisions of sub-rule (1), every other member shall hold office for a period not exceeding
three years:
Provided that the term of the members shall continue until new members are appointment in their
place:
Provided further that the term of the members shall be discontinued in the sequence of their
appointment.
(4) A retiring member or a member whose term of office has expired by efflux of time shall be eligible for
re-appointment.

4. Representation of women in the board.-
The Central Government may take such steps as it thinks fit to appoint women members in the Board so that
there is due representation for women, where for one-third of the members in the Board shall be women and
preferably half shall be women.

5. Casual vacancy.-
A casual vacancy in the Board by resignation, death or removal of a member or otherwise shall be filled by the
appointment of another member who shall hold office for the full term of membership provided under sub-rule
(3) of rule 3.

6. Headquarters.-
Unless otherwise directed by the Central Government, the headquarters of the Board shall be at Mumbai.

7. Temporary absence of Chairperson.-
Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules, when the Chairperson is unable to discharge their functions
owing to absence, illness or any other cause, the Central Government may nominate a member of the Board who
will discharge the functions of the Chairperson until the Chairperson resumes their duties.

8. Constitution of advisory panels.-
(1) The Central Government shall constitute an advisory panel at each of the regional offices of the Board.
(2) An advisory panel constituted under sub-rule (1) shall consist of such number of members as the Central
Government may, after consultation with the Board, determine.
(3) The Central Government may, after consultation with the Board, appoint any person whom it thinks fit to be
a member of an advisory panel;
Provided that the Central Government may dispense with such consultation in respect of such
number of members not exceeding one-third of the total number of members of the advisory panel,
as that Government thinks fit,
Provided further that for at least one-third of the members of the advisory panel shall be women and
preferably half shall be women.

9. Terms of office of members of advisory panels.-
(1) A member of an advisory panel shall hold office during the pleasure of the Central Government.

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