3 MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROAD- CASTING NOTIFICATION N'ew Delhi, the bth December, 1991 S.O. 836(E,).—In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 (37 o* 1957) and in supersession of the notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting No. SO.
9 ( E ) , dated the 7:h January, 1978, except as respects tilings done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Government hereby directs that in sanctioning films i:of public exhibition, the Board of- Film Certification shall be guided by the following principles . —
1. The objectives of film certification will be tn ensure that—
(a) the medium of film remains responsible and sensitive to the values and standards of society;
(b) artistic expression and creative freedom arc not unduly curbed;
(c) certification is resnousivc to social change;
(d) the medium of film proviles clean and heal'hy entertainment: and
(e) as fai as possible, the film is of aesthetic value and cincmiiicaliy of a good standard.
2. In pursuance of the above objectives, the Board oF Film Certification shall ensure that-—
(i) anti-social activities such as violence are not glorified or justified;
(ii) the modus opeiandi of criminals, other visuals or words likely to incite the commission of any offence are not depicted;
fi i i) KV.ies—
(a) showing involvement of children in violence as victims or as prepetrators or as forced witnesses to violence, or showing children as being subjected to any form of child abuse;
(b) showing abuse or ridicule of physically and menially handicapped persons; and
(c) showing cruelty to, or abuse of, animals are not presented needlessly;
(iv) pointless or avoidable scenes of violence, cruelty and horror, scenes of violence primarily intended to provide entertainment and such scenes as may have the effect; of desentisiting or dehumanising people are not shown;
(v) scenes which have the effect of justifying or glorifying drinking are not shown;
(vi) scenes tending to encourage, justify or glamorise drug addition are not shown;
4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA: EXTRAORDINARY [VAM II—SEC. 3(ii)]
(vii) human sensibilities arc not offended by vulgarity, obscenity or depravity;
(viii) such dual meaning words as obviously cater to baser instincts arc not allowed;
(ix) scenes degrading or denigrating women in any manner are not presented;
(x) scenes involving sexual violence against women like attempt to fape, rape or any toinn of molestation, or scenes of a similar nature are avoided, and if any such incident is germane to the theme, they shall be reduced to the minimum and no details are shown;
(xi) scenes showing sexual perversions shall be avoided and if such matters are germane to the theme, they ihall be feduced to the minimum and no details are shown;
(xii) visuals or words contemptuous of racial, religious or other groups are not presented;
(xiii) visuals or words which promote communal, obscurantist, anti-scientific and ;~mii-national attitudes are not presented;
(xiv) the severeigntly and integrity of India is not called in question;
(xv) :he security of the Stare is not jeopardised or endangered ;
(xvi) friendly relations wilh foreign States arc not strained;
(xvii) public ofdef is not, endangered';
(xviii) visuals or words involving defamation of an individual or a body of individuals, or contempt of court are not presented;
EXPLANATION : Scenes that tend to create scorn, disgrace or disregard of rules or undermine the dignity <y$ court will come under the term "contempt of court" ; and
(xiv) National symbols and emblems arc not shown 'except in accordance with the provisions of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 (12 of 1950)
3. The Board of Film Certification shall also ensure that the film—
(i) is judged in its entirely from the point of view of its overall impact; and
(ii) is examinedi in the light of the period depicted in the film and the contemporary standards of the country and the people to which the film relates, provided that the film does not deprave the morality of the audience.
4. Films that meet the above-mentioned mentioned criteria but are considered unsuitable for exhibition to non-adults shall he certified for exhibition to adult audiences only.
5. ( 1) While certifying iilms for unrestricted public exhibition, the Board shall ensure that the film is suitable for family viewing, Uiat is to say, the film should LK such that all the members of the family including chidren con view ii together.
(2) If the Board, having regard to the nature, content and theme of the film, is of the opinion that it is) iK-cessary to caution the parcntbjguaidian to consider as to whether any child below the age of twelve years may be allowed to see such a filmi, the film shall be certified for unrestricted public exhibition with sin c-ndnrsernent to that effect.
(3) Tf the Board, having regard to the nature, conienl :md theme of the film, is of the opinion that the exhibition of the film should be restricted to members of any profession or any class of persons, the film shall be certified for public exhibition restricted to the specialised audience1; :<•• be specified by the Board in this behalf
6. The Board shall scrutinise the titles of the firms carefully and ensure that they are not provocative, vulgar, offensive or violntive of any of the" abovementioned guidelines.
Foot noic -—Notification No. 5|5|77-F(C) dated 7-1-78 published in the Exlraordinary Gazette of India Part II Section 3 sub-section (ii) dated 7-1-78 as S.O. 9(h).
Amended by—
(i) Notification No. 5|5|77-F(C) dated 27-1-79 published as S.O. 618 in the Gazette of India Part II Section 3 sub-section (ii) dated 17-2-79-
(ii) Notification No. S05|2|82-F(C) dated 7-5-83 published as S.O. 356(E) in the' Gazette of India Extraordinary Part II Section 3 Sub-section (ii) dated 7-5-83.
(iii) Notification No. 803|4|89F(C) dated 11-8-89 published as S.O. 2179 in the Gazette of India Part Ii Section 3 subsection (ii) dated 9-9-89.
[File No. 805|l|9OF(C)J S. LAKSHMI NARAYANAN, Jt, Secy Printed by the Manager, Govt, of India Press, Ring Road, New Delhl-l 10064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054, 1992