Govt notifies new rules for overhaul of film certification

“The rules have been comprehensively overhauled in order to improve and contemporise the entire process of certification of films for public exhibition,” a statement by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) said.

While the ‘U’ (unrestricted public exhibition), ‘A’ (restricted to adults) and ‘S’ (restricted for specialised viewing) categories of certification have been left unaltered, new age-based indicators within the ‘UA’ category will be visible on the certificates.

While the earlier rules (1983) said that “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”, the new rules put a definite ratio to it — at least one-third, but ideally half, the board members have to be women.